New USDA grant supports farmers’ transition to organic practices

A new program for farmers in Iowa and the Midwest can help farmers transition to organic, thanks to a grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s National Organic Program. Despite organic product sales increasing—they were up by 5.2% in 2024, according to the Organic Trade Association, totaling $71.6 billion—and other potential benefits of “going organic,” learning new production practices and navigating the organic certification process isn’t simple.

The new Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is funding nonprofits to provide technical assistance and support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. Iowa State University is receiving a $285,000 grant for activities led by Kathleen Delate, professor of agronomy and horticulture, who manages the ISU Organic Ag Program.

Delate said that in Iowa, “there are about 800 organic farms on more than 169,000 acres … and we’ve seen increasing demand for information on organic practices, such as suitable crop rotations, fertilization, pest management, and marketing. This grant will help us deliver that type of practical information and support farmer networking.”

The Iowa State grant is one of 25 TOPP projects in the region, coordinated by the Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA). Grantees will build partnership networks with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.

Source: Iowa State University

Organic & Non-GMO Insights October 2025