AMES, Iowa — Prices for conventional corn and beans may be trending downward but organic product sales continue to increase, with current prices for organic corn and soybeans at approximately $8 and $23/bushel, respectively. These premium prices -- compared to August prices for conventional corn ($4.46/bushel) and soybeans ($10.30/bushel) -- reflect continuing increases of 5.2% in U.S. organic sales totaling $71.6 billion in 2024, according to the Organic Trade Association.
Despite the premiums and other potential benefits of “going organic,” learning new production practices and navigating the organic certification process is not simple. A new program for farmers in Iowa and the Midwest can help, thanks to a grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service - National Organic Program.
The new Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is funding nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. Iowa State University is receiving $285,000 for activities led by Kathleen Delate, professor of agronomy and horticulture, who serves as ISU extension horticulture specialist and manages the ISU Organic Ag Program.
The Iowa State grant is one of 25 TOPP projects in the Midwest 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. Other Midwest states participating include Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
“The organic industry continues to grow in Iowa,” Delate said. “There are about 800 organic farms on more than 169,000 acres, based on 2021 ag census data, and we have seen increasing demand for information on organic practices, such as for suitable crop rotations, fertilization, pest management and marketing. This grant will help us deliver that type of practical information and support farmer networking.”
One of the signature pieces of TOPP is a mentorship program pairing certified organic producers with farmers interested in certification. The Iowa program plans to support 10 mentorship pairs. Mentors should have at least three years of experience with organic production and certification, be interested in sharing their knowledge, and have the ability to commit 40 hours/year to the program in return for $3,000 per year in compensation.
Other major components of TOPP include:
- Technical assistance and training, including courses, workshops and field days covering organic production and business development.
- Community building through virtual peer-group meetings and in-person events.
- Workforce training and development to engage educational and training institutions to help them become more knowledgeable about organic crop production systems and opportunities.
- Data collection and information dissemination to track interest and highlight successes and participants’ feedback and questions.
As the program gets underway in Iowa, four related field days this summer attracted more than 250 attendees. They learned about organic high tunnel production at ReEvolution Farm in Dubuque; robotic weeders at the Rodale Midwest Organic Center in Marion; and the long-term comparison of organic and conventional crop rotations and the impact on crop performance and soil quality at the Iowa State Neely-Kinyon Farm near Greenfield, and organic vegetable transition at Southern Goods Farm in Waterloo.
The TOPP funding is already providing support to farmers like Shaffer Ridgeway, an urban producer and owner of Southern Goods Farm. Ridgeway was paired with mentor Drew Erickson of the Rodale Institute center in Marion.
“The TOPP mentorship has been priceless,” said Ridgeway, who had already started the three-year process to gain organic certification. “My work here is about feeding people, with a strong focus on soil health and the health of my customers. Drew (and Kathleen) are full of helpful knowledge and tips, including about pest management methods for different crops. I found out about the opportunity to participate at a recent organic conference, and it’s turning out be very worthwhile.”
Anyone interested in signing up for mentorship or learning about technical assistance opportunities for organic agriculture should visit the ISU Organic Ag Program webpage to find TOPP details, along with a schedule of events. The 2025 Iowa Organic Conference, Nov. 16-17, at the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, will include special information and networking sessions for the TOPP mentors and mentees.
Contacts
Kathleen Delate, Departments of Horticulture and Agronomy, 515-294-7069, kdelate@iastate.edu
Graham Sandersfield, Iowa State University Urban Ag Program, 515-294-5116, grsfeld@iastate.edu
Ann Y. Robinson, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, 515-294-3066, ayr@iastate.edu