About

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a crucial component of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative, is a nation-wide collaboration led by the National Organic Program (NOP) that is building programs in each state specifically designed for farmers transitioning to organic practices. This work includes farmer-to-farmer mentorship, technical assistance, workforce development, and community building initiatives.

Arizona TOPP is funded by a 5-year cooperative agreement overseen by the Western/Southwestern Regional Center for Organic Transition, housed at the non-profit organic certifier California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).

The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, a research and education center at Arizona State University, is the state lead for TOPP in Arizona. Kathleen Merrigan, the Executive Director of the Swette Center, was a key author of the Organic Food Production Act in 1990 which established national standards for organic food. She also served as the US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2013. Leveraging her expertise, the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems is dedicated to creating an improved and strengthened organic infrastructure that will better serve Arizona’s producers, support the growing interest in organic production, and strengthen consumer trust in the USDA organic label.