West / Southwest Organic Workforce Fellowship

Supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

Building the Next Generation of Organic Certification Professionals

Are you curious about organic inspection? Ready to build your skills with expert mentors? The West/Southwest Organic Workforce Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to launch or advance your career in organic certification.

Scroll down to access the application link.

What You’ll Gain:

Mentorship

Matched with a seasoned inspector who will guide you throughout the year
Regular one-on-one support and guidance
Virtual office hours for ongoing questions

Training & Development

Attendance to ACA’s Annual Conference
Fellowship-specific programming at ACA’s Annual Conference
Pre-conference sessions on networking and professional communication
Structured inspector training online
Access ACA acaDEMY online learning platform for 1-year

Hands-On Experience

Participate in three real-world inspections alongside your mentor
Receive compensation for inspection-based training
Direct interaction with organic farmers and operations

Community Building

Join a cohort of 25 fellows across the West/Southwest
Connect through dedicated fellowship listserv
Build lasting professional relationships

Professional Recognition

Deliver a recorded lightning talk showcasing your growth
Complete a capstone reflection on your fellowship experience
Position yourself as a future mentor in the organic community

Fellowship Timeline

*NOTE: Applications are reviewed as they are submitted — we may close the application early once all fellowship spots are filled.

Who we’re looking for:

We welcome applicants at different points of entry into organic inspection—from those with fresh training to farmers making a career transition to certification staff moving into field work.

Ideal candidates are:

Residents of the West/Southwest region (AZ, CA, HI, NV, NM, TX or UT)
Early-career inspectors with some training but limited field experience
Pre-career inspectors who have completed basic training
Farmers or agricultural professionals exploring a transition to inspection
Certification staff beginning to move into inspection roles

We also welcome applications from:

Anyone with a strong connection to the West/Southwest who is passionate about building a career in organic certification and inspection
Professionals with relevant agricultural experience who are new to the organic sector

All applicants should demonstrate:

A commitment to organic agriculture and organic integrity
Connection to the West/Southwest region: AZ, CA, HI, NV, NM, TX, or UT (residence or strong ties)
Desire to learn, grow professionally, and contribute to the organic community
Willingness to actively participate in all program components throughout the fellowship year

Apply Now

Application Requirements:

Submit a one-page cover letter along with your resume that tells us:

Why you’re interested in organic inspection
What drives your passion for organic work
Your relevant background (farming, certification, agriculture, etc.)
Your connection to the West/Southwest region (residence, work, family ties, etc.)

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

The online application form will ask you to:

Upload your one-page cover letter (PDF or Word format)
Upload your resume/CV (PDF or Word format)
Provide contact information for one educational reference (name, email, phone)
Indicate which inspection scope(s) interest you most: Crop, Livestock, Processing, and/or Wild Crop

Selection Criteria:

Up to 25 fellows will be selected based on:

Geographic representation across the seven West/Southwest states
Early-career or prospective inspector status
Demonstrated commitment and ability to participate fully
Diversity of perspectives and experiences

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: December 4th, 2025 [applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and may close early if all spots are filled before the deadline]
Fellows Notified: by December 12th, 2025
Program Begins: December 2025
ACA Conference in Albuquerque, NM: January 20th-24th

FAQs

Do I need prior inspection experience to apply?

No! This fellowship is designed for early-career and prospective inspectors. We’re looking for “mentor-ready” candidates who have one or more of the following:

Completed some organic inspector training (IOIA courses, online programs, or certifier training)
Experience with a few inspections and hunger for more mentorship
Deep farming or agricultural production experience
Work experience in organic certification
Strong knowledge of organic standards and practices

In short: you don’t need to be an experienced inspector, but you should have some foundation—through training, farming, or certification work—that will help you maximize the mentorship opportunity. When in doubt, apply! We’ll consider each candidate’s unique background.

What does "connection to the West/Southwest region" mean?

We’re looking for applicants who live in or have strong ties to one or more of the states in the West/Southwest Region: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, or Utah.

Is there a cost to participate?

There is no cost to participate, conference attendance is included.

What if I can't attend the conference in Albuquerque?

Conference attendance is a core component of the fellowship and is required for all fellows. The January 2026 conference in Albuquerque is where you’ll meet your cohort, participate in fellowship-specific programming, and build the professional networks that support you throughout the year.

If you have concerns about your ability to attend, please reach out to the program director at susie@accreditedcertifiers.org. We’ll evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis.

When will I know if I'm selected?

We’ll notify all applicants by Friday, Dec. 12th, 2025

Can I apply if I'm already a certified inspector?

This fellowship is specifically designed for early-career and prospective inspectors. If you’re already established in your inspection career, we encourage you to consider applying to be a mentor instead! If you are interested in being a mentor, send an email to Susie Grundler at susie@accreditedcertifiers.org.

What file format should I use for my cover letter and resume?

Please upload both documents as PDFs or Word Docs and name your files clearly (for example: FirstLast_CoverLetter.pdf and FirstLast_Resume.pdf).

If you’re unable to create a PDF or Word Doc, you may take a clear photo of your document and upload it as a JPEG (.jpg) instead.

Who should I list as a reference?

Someone who can speak to your work ethic, agricultural knowledge, or suitability for inspection work. This could be a current or former employer, professor, mentor, or colleague. Please give them a heads-up that we may contact them!