Jan 23, 2023

USDA pinpoints organic transition partners in each state

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has pinpointed the partner organizations aiding farmers in transitioning to organic in each state.

The organizations, part of the Organic Transition Initiative, will also serve as entry points for existing organic farmers wanting to serve as paid mentors.

Partner organizations can be found online by clicking on an interactive map or on the image below.

OTI was launched in August 2022 as part of USDA’s food system transformation effort to support local and regional food systems, expand access to markets to more producers and increase the affordable food supply for more Americans. The initiative provides support for farmers transitioning to organic production including technical assistance, mentoring, conservation financial assistance and additional crop insurance assistance, and market development projects in targeted markets.

“USDA and its partners have worked quickly to establish a robust network of partners in every state, and we encourage organic mentors and transitioning farmers to contact these organizations to get started,” Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a news release. “Organic production is a vital part of the USDA’s Food System Transformation Initiative, bringing new opportunities for producers across the country.”

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program network includes six regions: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest.