USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in Hawaiʻi Launch!
duda • May 21, 2023
The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union (HFUU.org) is excited to announce the launch of the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in Hawaiʻi. The HFU, along with other Hawaiʻi collaborating organizations including the University of Hawaiʻi, is partnering with California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) to help Hawaiʻi farmers who are interested in exploring transitioning to a certified organic farming operation!
Are you interested in exploring how to transition to organic farming? As a farmer considering beginning the journey of transitioning to certified organic, it can be a daunting undertaking. The goal of this program is to help make the transition as smooth as possible by providing resources and easy to follow steps to becoming certified organic, one-on-one mentoring and guidance of the certification process, and assistance in sourcing and switching to approved farm inputs. Our program will start-off on the islands of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi and will begin outreach to the other islands as well. As the program gains momentum, we will be adding participants from all islands to the program! If you are interested please contact Christian Zuckerman, Project Coordinator at OrganicTransitions@hfuu.org.
Are you interested in being a mentor for farmers interested in organic farming? We are not only looking for farm partners for this program but also individuals who wish to become a mentor. Mentors should have three-years of experience operating a certified organic farm and have a passion for expanding organic farming in Hawaiʻi. Mentors will be working closely with the farm participants and HFU to support them in the transition to organic.
We respect that farming is difficult work no matter what your management practices are, and we will work to meet farmers where they are to assuage their fears and get them the necessary tools, resources, and markets to succeed in the transition.
Can’t wait for your island to be eligible? Are you ready to start the transition now? Feel free to reach out and we can see if we can work with you!
