TOPP

Field Day Toolkit: Build Community Through Sharing Knowledge

By Gordon Merrick, Senior Policy & Programs Manager at OFRF

Field days have been a longstanding tool in the agriculture community, both to disseminate research being done at Agricultural Experiment Stations and Land Grant Universities, but also communities and non-governmental organizations. These events provide a unique space for farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals to come together to share insights, learn from one another, and foster future collaborations. At OFRF, we know that hosting a field day can feel like a daunting task, especially if it is your first go around! That’s why we are thrilled to announce the release of a new resource to guide you through the process of planning and hosting a field day, and it’s available in both English and Spanish!

Why Host a Field Day?

Field days are about a lot more than just showcasing research findings or demonstrating a new technique or technology. They are opportunities to create meaningful connections within the larger agricultural community. We know, through our NORA-22 report, that farmers are each other’s greatest source of knowledge, and in-person events like these can amplify the exchange of ideas and information tremendously. Additionally, they offer researchers and other professionals a chance to ground their work in the realities of farming, ensuring that their research continues to be relevant, practical, and impactful.

Hosting a field day on your own farm can have some additional co-benefits too, like having a group of experts look at your operation and discuss opportunities to improve it through implementing the latest research findings with USDA programs that provide detailed technical and financial assistance.

Making Field Days Easier: OFRF’s New Toolkit!

To make harnessing these benefits as easy as possible, we’ve developed a comprehensive Field Day Toolkit that provides a roadmap and customizable materials to plan, host, and follow up on a successful event. This guide includes practical tips, checklists, and resources to streamline the process, and maximize the impact of your field day! Whether you’re new to hosting events, or looking to refine your approach, the toolkit covers every phase of organizing one. 

Highlights of the toolkit include:

  • Step-by-Step Guidance: A detailed roadmap to plan, execute, and evaluate a successful field day.
  • Audience Engagement Tips: Best practices for creating interactive, farmer-focused events that maximize learning and participation.
  • Logistics Planning: Checklists for equipment, scheduling, and accessibility to ensure a seamless experience.
  • Outreach Strategies: Ideas to promote your event and attract attendees from diverse backgrounds.

This resource is also available in Spanish, ensuring that more communities have access to tools that help build knowledge and collaboration.

We at OFRF know that agriculture thrives when we can effectively and efficiently share knowledge with one another. As the challenges facing organic and non-organic producers continue to grow, the exchange of ideas and practices through events like field days are even more valuable. This toolkit helps make these events accessible, inclusive, and impactful; ultimately leading to a stronger foundation for the agricultural community and economy.

Start Planning Your Field Day Now!

Hosting a field day doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can create and implement an event that inspires action, builds relationships, fosters growth, and can even better your operation! Download our Field Day Toolkit today and take the first step toward bringing your community together.

Together we can continue to grow, learn, and collaborate to create a sustainable future for American agriculture, one field day at a time.

By |2026-07-09T09:13:58-04:00January 9th, 2025|News, On-Farm Research, TOPP West|
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Why Technical Note 12 Is Such a Big Deal

By Gordon Merrick, OFRF’s Senior Policy & Programs Manager

Versión en español a continuación.

The Need that Technical Note 12 Meets

The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-NRCS, NRCS) has been one of the most impactful modern agencies in the adoption of conservation practices and systems in the United States. Only recently did the NRCS publish a technical note that will aid Field Agents and other Technical Service Providers (TSPs) administer these programs on organic operations. Technical Note 12 – Conservation Activities in Organic Farming Systems (Tech Note 12) provides a wealth of knowledge needed to effectively support the unique requirements of organic producers. Recently, as part of our work for the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in the West/Southwest region, we have developed a toolkit designed to raise awareness among farmers of this resource, which is now in the hands of NRCS staff and TSPs. In this blog post, we’ll briefly discuss what Tech Note 12 is, how it benefits farmers, and how it helps NRCS staff and TSPs.

What Is Tech Note 12?

A technical note, as defined by the NRCS, is an authoritative document designed to provide detailed guidance on specific technical subjects relevant to conservation planning and implementation. These documents serve as essential resources for NRCS field staff, TSPs, and producers, offering in-depth information and practical instructions to support the effective management of natural resources and address resource concerns. Technical notes are developed to address a wide range of topics, including soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and agricultural practices. They offer step-by-step procedures, best management practices, and innovative solutions to common challenges faced in the field. By standardizing and disseminating this knowledge, technical notes help ensure consistency and quality in applying NRCS conservation programs and practices.

Tech Note 12 is intended to provide all this information—as it relates to organic agricultural production. It offers detailed guidance on conservation activities that are compatible with organic standards and provides real-world examples that illustrate how conservation activities have been implemented.  

How Tech Note 12 Helps Farmers

Tech Note 12 helps organic producers articulate the conservation benefits of their practices in the language used by NRCS field agents and TSPs. This clarity is crucial for accessing NRCS programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which provide financial and technical assistance to improve farm operations.

How Tech Note 12 Helps NRCS Staff and TSPs

For NRCS field agents and TSPs, Technical Note 12 is an invaluable tool for conducting thorough assessments of organic farming operations. By referencing the document, agents can identify appropriate conservation practices that address resource concerns while complying with organic standards. This approach ensures that the proposed solutions are both effective and aligned with the unique traits of organic farming, such as soil fertility, water management, pest control, and habitat conservation.

How to Access and Use Tech Note 12

To effectively use Tech Note 12 for your organic farming practices, start by contacting your regional Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Your NRCS field agent can provide helpful guidance on applying the recommendations in Tech Note 12 to your conservation planning while meeting organic standards.

For additional information and resources, download our Tech Note 12 flyer here. The flyer includes a summary of Tech Note 12, practical tips for using it, and suggested questions to ask your NRCS agent. This will help you get the most out of your NRCS support and prepare for your discussion.

Don’t miss out on valuable resources like this one—subscribe to our newsletter for groundbreaking organic farming research, educational guides, and critical funding and policy updates.

Brochure of how to utilize NRCS support on organic farms (includes background information, link to Tech Note 12, features, resources).

¿Por qué es tan importante la Nota Técnica 12?

La Necesidad que Satisface la Nota Técnica 12

El Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA-NRCS, NRCS) ha sido una de las agencias más influyentes en la adopción de prácticas y sistemas de conservación en Estados Unidos. Recientemente, el NRCS publicó una nota técnica que ayudará a los Agentes de Campo y otros Proveedores de Servicios Técnicos (TSP) a administrar estos programas en operaciones orgánicas. Nota Técnica 12 – Actividades de conservación en sistemas agrícolas orgánicos (Nota técnica 12) proporciona una gran cantidad de conocimientos necesarios para apoyar de manera efectiva los requisitos únicos de los productores orgánicos. Recientemente, como parte de nuestro trabajo para el Programa de Asociación para la Transición a la Agricultura Orgánica (TOPP) en la región Oeste/Suroeste, hemos desarrollado un kit de herramientas diseñado para concienciar a los agricultores sobre este recurso, que ahora está en manos del personal del NRCS y los TSP. En esta publicación del blog, discutiremos brevemente qué es la Nota Técnica 12, cómo beneficia a los agricultores y cómo ayuda al personal del NRCS y a los TSP.

¿Qué es la Nota Técnica 12?

Una nota técnica, según lo define el NRCS, es un documento autoritativo diseñado para proporcionar orientación detallada sobre temas técnicos específicos relevantes para la planificación e implementación de conservación. Estos documentos sirven como recursos esenciales para el personal de campo del NRCS, los TSP y productores, ofreciendo información detallada e instrucciones prácticas para apoyar la gestión efectiva de los recursos naturales y abordar las preocupaciones de recursos. Las notas técnicas se desarrollan para tratar una amplia gama de temas, incluyendo la salud del suelo, calidad del agua, hábitat de la vida silvestre y prácticas agrícolas. Ofrecen procedimientos paso a paso, mejores prácticas de gestión y soluciones innovadoras a desafíos comunes enfrentados en el campo. Al estandarizar y difundir este conocimiento, las notas técnicas ayudan a garantizar la consistencia y la calidad en la aplicación de los programas y prácticas de conservación del NRCS.

La Nota Técnica 12 está destinada a proporcionar toda esta información, en lo que respecta a la producción agrícola orgánica. Ofrece orientación detallada sobre las actividades de conservación que son compatibles con los estándares orgánicos y proporciona ejemplos reales que ilustran cómo se han implementado las actividades de conservación.

Como la Nota Técnica 12 ayuda a los agricultores

La Nota Técnica 12 ayuda a los productores orgánicos a articular los beneficios de conservación de sus prácticas en el lenguaje utilizado por los agentes de campo y los proveedores de servicios de conservación del NRCS. Esta claridad es crucial para acceder a programas del NRCS como el Programa de Incentivos a la Calidad Ambiental (EQIP) y el Programa de Administración de Conservación (CSP), que de asistencia financiera y técnica para mejorar las operaciones agrícolas.

¿Cómo Ayuda la Nota Técnica 12 al Personal del NRCS y a los TSP?

Para los agentes de campo del NRCS y los TSP, la Nota Técnica 12 es una herramienta invaluable para realizar evaluaciones exhaustivas de las operaciones de agricultura orgánica. Al consultar el documento, los agentes pueden identificar las prácticas de conservación apropiadas que aborden las preocupaciones de recursos mientras cumplen con los estándares orgánicos. Este enfoque asegura que las soluciones propuestas sean tanto efectivas como alineadas con las características únicas de la, (agricultura orgánica) tales como fertilidad del suelo, manejo del agua, control de plagas y conservación del hábitat.

Cómo Acceder y Utilizar la Nota Técnica 12

Para utilizar eficazmente la Nota Técnica 12 en sus prácticas de agricultura orgánica, comience contactando a su oficina regional del Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS) (Oficina del Servicio Regional de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS) Su agente de campo del NRCS puede ofrecerte orientación útil sobre cómo aplicar las recomendaciones de la Nota Técnica 12 en su planificación de conservación mientras cumple con los estándares orgánicos.

Para más información y recursos, descargue nuestro folleto sobre la Nota Técnica 12 aquí. El folleto incluye un resumen de la Nota Técnica 12, consejos prácticos para su uso y preguntas sugeridas para hacerle a su agente del NRCS. Esto le ayudará a aprovechar al máximo el apoyo del NRCS y prepararse para su conversación.

No se pierda recursos valiosos como este: (Suscríbase a nuestro boletín) para recibir investigaciones innovadoras en agricultura orgánica, guías educativas y actualizaciones importantes sobre financiamiento y políticas.

By |2026-01-15T10:31:41-05:00September 13th, 2024|Advocacy, Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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Organic Transition Initiative (OTI)

OFRF has developed a PDF to help farmers communicate with NRCS about accessing the Organic Transition Initiative.

It is available in both English and Spanish. >>>

“How to talk to your NRCS office about the
Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) resources available for you”

“Cómo hablar con su oficina del NRCS sobre los
programas de apoyo para la transición a orgánico”

Organic farmers must manage their land without prohibited inputs for 3 years for their products to be certified. This transitioning period can be incredibly challenging as farmers and their land adjust to new production practices. OTI is intended to help producers implement conservation activities required for certification, receive expert technical support, and recover foregone income due to reduced yields during the transition period through EQIP.

Step 1. Research your options.

Step 2. Connect with USDA. Create or update your account at Farmers.gov, and contact your local NRCS office to get started. Your conservation specialist will confirm your eligibility and help you identify which projects & practices best suit your operation. Directing the agent to NRCS-sponsored webinars and training modules the Organic Farming Research Foundation and Oregon Tilth have developed for NRCS field agents may be helpful.

Contact your state office for additional assistance:

Guiding Questions: Check out our “How to talk to NRCS about the OTI” PDF for additional topics, available above!

  • I __own/rent__ my land. What documents will you need for completion of my EQIP application by the deadline?
  • I am eligible for the increased and advanced payment option for Historically Underserved farmers. How will this change my application process?
  • My farm is __certified/transitioning_ to organic. What additional information will you need for completing my conservation plan and application by the deadline?
  • Can I get financial assistance for conservation work I have already started or completed?
  • Can NRCS help me develop and implement a comprehensive conservation plan that is tailored to my organic operation?
  • When is the deadline for the next EQIP ranking period?

Step 3. Schedule your conservation plan development. Your NRCS conservation specialist will work with you to develop a conservation plan for your operation and complete the AD 1026 form.

Step 4. Gather your application documents.

  • Official tax ID (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
  • Adjusted gross income certification (Form CCC-941), which requires your Taxpayer ID Number and AGI from the previous 3 tax years.
  • Deed, or property lease agreement and written authorization from the landowner to install structural or vegetative practices.
  • Farm tract number (obtained from Farmers.gov or FSA membership).
  • Documentation of organic certification (if applicable).
  • Documentation of your land’s irrigation history (if applicable to project).
  • Documentation of previous improvements made to the property.

Step 5. Complete your application & submit! Your NRCS conservationist will assist you in finalizing your application. 

Step 6. Implement your plan. If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done. You’ll be provided with guidelines and a timeframe for implementing your plan. You will be reimbursed after your work is inspected and approved. Advanced payments not expended within 90 days of receipt must be returned to NRCS.

As essential stewards of the land, organic farmers deserve support. Don’t let funding be a barrier to realizing your farm’s potential. Take the first step towards growth and sustainability by applying for assistance through the Organic Transition Initiative before your state’s deadline.

Note: all of this information is available below in Spanish. Obtain additional translated materials, or schedule interpretation services for phone calls or in-person visits, https://www.farmers.gov/translations, or request personalized Spanish language support for any USDA resource, https://www.farmers.gov/translations#spanish-request.

By |2026-01-15T10:15:37-05:00January 31st, 2024|Certification & Compliance, Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources|
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Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

Farmers across the U.S. may now receive up to $750 per scope for organic certification costs

As a farmer or a technical service provider to farms, you understand the importance of organic certification. It not only adds value to your products but also opens doors to a growing market of health-conscious consumers. However, the process of obtaining and maintaining organic certification can be costly. Financial assistance was last available in 2024, through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) to help ease this burden. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basic steps to access up to $750 in financial assistance for each organic certification scope if this program funding is available.

Note: all of this information is summarized in printable, downloadable PDF’s, available in English and Spanish, at the bottom of this blogpost.

Nota: toda esta información se resume en archivos PDF imprimibles y descargables, disponibles en inglés y español, al final de esta publicación de blog.

1. Start with Research

Before diving into the application process, it’s wise to build up some knowledge of the program and who you will apply to. The OCCSP is administered by the USDA, and their website provides a wealth of general information. Additionally, some states have their own supplements to the program. If you’re in Arizona, California, or Texas, consider checking your state’s agriculture agency website for state-specific resources.

Below are factsheets from the USDA about the OCCSP, one in English and one in Spanish.

2. Finding the Right Application 

Certified organic operations can apply for OCCSP assistance through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or, in some cases, through a participating State Agency. Here’s how to proceed:

Through FSA: If you choose to apply through the FSA, you’ll need to use their specific OCCSP application form and follow the instructions provided. This ensures that your application is processed smoothly and efficiently.

Through a State Agency: If your state participates in the OCCSP, you likely have the option to apply through your state agency. In this case, use the application form provided by your state’s program. States like Arizona and California have their own forms, while Texas offers an online application platform along with a Request for Assistance (RFA) providing information.

3. Gathering Financial Information

To access government payments through OCCSP, you’ll need to provide certain financial information. The information must be provided in the correct format, depending on how you are applying. Here’s a brief explanation of the options in the Southwest: 

FSA: If you’re applying through the FSA, they typically require an IRS W-9 form as part of your application.

California: In California, you’ll need to complete a Payee Data Record Form as part of your application.

Arizona: In Arizona, they require an AZ W-9 form to be submitted along with your application.

Texas: If you’re applying through Texas’ online platform, you’ll need to provide a Tax ID to operate on their system, obtain one here.

4. Compiling Required Documents

Alongside your application and financial information, you’ll also need to include certain documents:

  • A copy of your organic certification.
  • Proof of payment for your certification fees.
  • Itemized receipts for any other covered expenses related to organic certification that you’re seeking reimbursement for.

Covered expenses under the OCCSP include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage. However, covered expenses do not include equipment, materials, supplies, transitional certification fees, late fees, and inspections necessary to address National Organic Program regulatory violations.

5. Submission

Once you’ve gathered all the required information and documents, it’s time to submit your OCCSP application. Double-check your application to ensure everything is complete and accurate. Ensure you send this information to the appropriate state or federal agency office based on your chosen application method.

The OCCSP can be a valuable resource for farmers and technical service providers seeking financial assistance for their organic certifications. By following these steps and meeting the program’s requirements, you can access up to $750 to support your commitment to organic farming practices.

For more detailed information and access to specific application forms, be sure to visit the OCCSP USDA website or consult your state’s agriculture agency website if they operate their own OCCSP program (Arizona, California, Texas). Your organic journey just got a little more affordable.

Apply for OCCSP assistance now, and reap the benefits of a more affordable path to organic certification. Your commitment to organic farming deserves the support it needs.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below, available in English and Spanish.

By |2026-01-15T10:28:50-05:00December 1st, 2023|Certification & Compliance, Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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