Michigan’s TOPP program ends, but farmer-to-farmer mentorship continues

In October 2026, Michigan’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) came to an end after nearly three successful years of supporting organic agriculture in Michigan. TOPP brought together MSU Extension, conservation districts, and farmer support organizations to help farmers explore organic certification and strengthen their organic farming knowledge through training, education, and farmer-to-farmer mentorship.

Eighty-one Michigan farmers managing over 2000 acres of farmland, including 13 in Washtenaw County, worked with experienced organic farmers to build their knowledge and evaluate organic certification for their operations. Our 42 farmer mentors devoted a combined 3,425 hours to working with their mentees over the course of the project. Eight mentees obtained organic certification, bringing over 250 acres of Michigan farmland into certified organic production, and many more plan to pursue certification in the years ahead.

Michigan played an outsized role in TOPP’s national mentorship efforts, accounting for about 25% of all mentorships in the 11-state Midwest region during fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and almost 10% of mentorships nationwide in FY2024. Just as importantly, many participants described mentorship as life-changing, telling us that the experience accelerated their farms’ development by years.

Fortunately, farmer-to-farmer mentorship will continue in southeast Michigan and across the state! Building on TOPP’s success, our team has established Michigan Farm Mentors, an initiative based at MSU Extension that brings together and expands opportunities for farmer-to-farmer mentorship and peer learning.

In November 2026, we’re launching a cohort of 10 mentees focused on first-generation farmers, with support from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). Later this winter, we’ll partner with MIFarmLink to launch a second cohort serving beginning farmers and people seeking farmland, thanks to funding from the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Want to learn more or get involved? Visit Michigan Farm Mentors to learn about these programs and sign up as a mentor or mentee. Mentorship opportunities are open to farmers throughout Michigan!