The USDA just put real money on the table for farmers who want to break free from chemical dependency and move toward certified organic. Iowa State University’s Organic Agriculture Program snagged a $285,000 grant to run the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), part of USDA’s nationwide $300M Organic Transition Initiative.
For regenerative farmers already practicing cover crops, rotational grazing, or no-till — this is a chance to get mentorship, field-day training, and certification help without paying a dime.
What This Grant Does
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Mentorship: Veteran organic farmers paired with transitioning farmers (mentors get $3,000 to dedicate 40 hrs/year).
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Training: Field days, workshops, and virtual meetups on everything from crop rotations to robotic weeders.
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Networking: Peer groups and local events to build resilient organic/regenerative communities.
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Workforce Development: Teaching extension agents and ag professionals how to better support organic systems.
No cash handouts to farmers here — but free technical assistance and a clear path to certification.
Why It Matters for Regenerative Farmers
Most regenerative practices already align with organic standards:
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Soil-first focus with cover crops and biodiversity.
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Livestock integration and rotational grazing.
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Minimal synthetic input reliance.
This grant lowers the barriers of paperwork, certification confusion, and market access. As Iowa State’s Kathleen Delate put it:
“We’ve seen increasing demand for information on organic practices. This grant helps us deliver practical support and build farmer networks.”
Farmer mentees echo the value. Shaffer Ridgeway, an Iowa soil-health grower, said the mentorship was “priceless” in navigating organic certification while keeping his focus on soil health.
How This Fits Into USDA’s Bigger Picture
USDA isn’t stopping at one grant. Here’s a quick breakdown of related programs you should know:
Program |
Support |
Best For |
TOPP (via Iowa State) |
Mentorship, workshops, training |
Transitioning or certified organic farmers |
Organic Certification Cost-Share (OCCSP) |
Reimburses 75% of certification fees (up to $750/scope) |
Farmers paying for organic certification |
EQIP Organic Initiative |
Cost-share on conservation practices like cover crops, grazing plans, or high tunnels |
Regenerative growers adding conservation systems |
CSP (with Organic Enhancements) |
5-year contracts with bonus pay for organic practices |
Farmers scaling regenerative/organic practices |
Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) |
$300M nationwide umbrella program (includes TOPP + market dev) |
Anyone in organic/regenerative transition |
Smart regenerative growers will stack these programs:
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Use TOPP for free mentorship + training
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Tap OCCSP to cover certification fees
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Enroll in EQIP/CSP for paid conservation practices
Take Action
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Contact your Iowa State Organic Agriculture Program (or regional TOPP partner) to join a mentorship or field day.
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Apply to FSA’s cost-share for organic certification fees.
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Talk to NRCS about EQIP and CSP contracts tailored to organic/regenerative operations.
This isn’t about chasing another label — it’s about leveraging USDA dollars to strengthen your soil-first systems and unlock premium markets.
USDA’s move is both validation and opportunity: validation that regenerative/organic practices are the future, and opportunity for small farms to access tools usually kept out of reach.
Rebels, if you’re already farming like the soil matters — now’s the time to get certified and get paid for it. Don’t let Big Ag dominate the organic seal. Let regenerative voices lead.
Viva La Regenaissance!