USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

National Organic Program (NOP)

Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Meeting 

Lesley Ett

Assistant to the Deputy Administrator

January 2023
Presentation Overview 

• Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) 

• Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

• Organic Trade Association (OTA)

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | National Organic Program 2
Organic Transition Initiative

Transition to Organic 

Partnership Program 

($100 M)

• Farmer-to-Farmer 

Mentoring 

• Technical Assistance 

• Community 

Development 

• Workforce 

Development 

• Data and Reporting 

Direct Support: 

Conservation and 

Crop Insurance ($100 M)

• Conservation Support 

for Transitioning 

Farmers (NRCS)

• Crop Insurance 

Assistance for 

Transitional Organic 

Growers (RMA)

Pinpointed Organic 

Market Development 

(Up to $100 M)

• Support Innovation by 

building organic supply 

chains in targeted 

markets 

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) 

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service 4

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/topp
Northwest

West/Southwest

Plains

Midwest

Mid-Atlantic/Northeast

Southeast

Organic Transition Initiative (OTI)

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Regions

High | # of Organic Operations | Low

Guide to State Shading: 

This map shows many of the organizations helping to establish the TOPP partnership network (October 2022) 

USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender
Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule 

• GOAL: Protect organic integrity and bolster 

consumer confidence in the USDA organic seal 

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Reduce the number of 

uncertified entities

Strengthen recordkeeping and 

supply chain traceability

Strengthen oversight of 

accredited certifying agents

Require use of electronic 

import certificates
Why Is SOE Needed?

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Organic supply chains have become increasingly complex, 

leading to documented cases of organic fraud and gaps in 

oversight.

The SOE final rule implements many National Organic 

Standards Board recommendations.

SOE implements provisions from the 2018 Farm Bill.
Who Does SOE Affect?

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | National Organic Program 8

USDA accredited certifiers

Organic inspectors

Brokers, traders, exporters, 

and importers who are not 

certified organic

Producers

Processors

Consumers
OTA 2023 Organic Industry Survey

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• The Organic Trade Association 

(OTA) has launched the 2023 

Organic Industry Survey. 

• Your participation is essential to 

accurately represent organic’s 

contribution to the national 

economy and help continue to 

build confidence in this sector 

• The survey closes on March 21. 
10

United States Department of Agriculture

National Organic Program

Phone: 202-720-3252

Nopguidance@usda.gov

To learn more about TOPP, please visit:

www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/topp

Questions? To see if you are affected by SOE, please read the full rule 

available at:

www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2023-00702/nationalorganic-program-strengthening-organic-enforcement

OTA 2023 Organic Industry Survey: 

https://informa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jVVKRnMTWQC

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