Kernel
Kernel is a nationwide mentorship program helping farmers, ranchers and food handlers successfully transition to organic and achieve USDA Organic certification.
Launched by the Swette Center in fall 2026, Kernel facilitates mentorship relationships between experienced organic producers and those aspiring to become organic. The goal of the program is to to expand U.S. organic agriculture and strengthen the domestic organic foods industry, while simultaneously supporting the next generation of organic farmers. Kernel was developed to carry forward the organic mentorship model established by the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
Join our mentorship program
Become an organic mentor
As a mentor in Kernel, you’ll share your firsthand insight and advice to help agricultural producers or food handlers transition to organic and attain USDA Organic certification. This is a paid opportunity.
Become an organic mentee
Join Kernel as a mentee to get personalized support in your transition to organic. Mentees receive one-on-one guidance tailored to their operation, location and goals, no matter where they’re at on their organic journey.
Kernel in the news
“By equipping farmers, ranchers and handlers with the support they need to meaningfully transition their operations to organic, [Kernel] aims to drive some of the $5.7 billion routed to organic food imports as of 2024 back into U.S. pockets.”
Rooted in Principled Innovation®
Kernel is part of a larger effort at Arizona State University to advance Principled Innovation through projects that place character and values at the center of decision-making. Originally developed at ASU, the Principled Innovation Framework guides our team in the development and management of Kernel as we seek to create positive change for humanity.
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.
Kathleen MerriganExecutive Director, Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems
