New program Kernel mentoring program will connect experienced organic farmers with aspiring organic farmers

The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University recently announced a new, 5-year program to help grow the U.S. organic sector. Known as Kernel, the program supports mentoring by pairing seasoned organic producers and handlers with those aspiring to become certified organic. 

Kernel is a follow-on to the successful Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which ends September 30. TOPP was a $100 million USDA program launched in 2022 to support aspiring producers and handlers to achieve organic certification. During the four years TOPP operated, over 200 organizations across the country provided transition support, with the core activity being mentorship. 

At launch on October 1, Kernel will continue supporting the mentoring pairs established under USDA TOPP as well as begin recruiting new mentors and mentees to expand the effort. 

The Swette Center will be aided by six regional organizations that helped administer TOPP: California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Florida Organic Growers (FOG), Oregon Tilth, Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA), Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), and the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Interstate Council. 

“CCOF worked closely with the Swette Center and TOPP leaders to successfully create a national organic mentorship program that reached over 600 mentees across the US,” said Jessy Becket Parr, CCOF Chief Program Officer. “We are excited to join with other regional partners and collaborate with the Swette Center to build upon TOPP’s success.”

Financial support for Kernel comes through a generous gift dedicated to advancing Principled Innovation across Arizona State University. In 2023, ASU introduced Practice Principled Innovation as its ninth design aspiration, embedding character and values into decision-making. 

“Kernel is an important next step in ASU’s efforts to embed Principled Innovation into the systems that shape health, sustainability and human flourishing,” said Jacqueline Smith, ASU’s Vice President for Principled Innovation and Impact. “By supporting mentorship for organic farmers, we are helping strengthen the relationships and share the knowledge needed to build more resilient food systems for farmers and consumers alike.”

Increasing U.S. organic production is critical. U.S. consumer demand for organic food far exceeds the domestic supply. To meet demand, organic food is imported. In 2024, this resulted in $5.7 billion worth of imported organic food, and imports continue to grow year over year.     

“Plentiful homegrown U.S .organic food is the goal,” said Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of the Swette Center. “The kernel is the part of the seed that represents future growth. Given the aging of the American farmer, we need to grow organic and provide economic opportunity for the next generation of producers who will, in turn, feed us healthy, nutritious food.” 

To learn more about Kernel, go to www.Grow-Organic.org.