Organic Career Network to host national organic job fair in November

The Organic Career Network will hold a free online job fair on Nov. 5 to connect employers and job seekers across organic agriculture. The event arrives as federal TOPP funding ends, raising concerns about a talent gap in the sector and giving displaced professionals a way to stay in organic work.

Why it matters: - The organic agriculture sector faces a workforce transition as the Transition to Organic Partnership Program ends at the close of 2026. - Hundreds of skilled professionals supported by TOPP funding could need new roles, including technical assistance providers, outreach coordinators and program staff. - The job fair is designed to keep that talent connected to organic agriculture instead of losing trained workers to other industries.

What happened: - The Organic Career Network, a project of the Organic Farmers Association, will host the Organic Job Fair on Nov. 5, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT. - The event will be national and online. - Job seekers can attend for free. - Employers with at least one active job listing can register for a booth at no cost. - Informational employer booths will also be available for employers without open jobs.

The details: - Participating organizations will use virtual booths to share open positions, explain their work and meet candidates directly. - Employers invited to participate include organic certifiers, nonprofits, farms, educational institutions, technical assistance providers and other businesses in the sector. - Job seekers will be able to submit resumes after registering. - Attendees will be able to browse openings, ask questions, schedule interviews and network. - The fair is expected to feature internships, entry-level jobs and mid-career roles. - Interested employers and attendees can register on the job fair website.

Between the lines: - The event is a response to a known risk: a funding cliff that could leave specialized organic workforce programs without a landing spot. - Kate Mendenhall, executive director of the Organic Farmers Association, said the sector has spent years building a skilled, mission-driven workforce and the fair is one way to keep that expertise in organic agriculture and help farmers succeed. - The format also lowers access barriers for employers and job seekers by centralizing networking in one online venue.

What's next: - Registration is open now for both employers and job seekers. - The Nov. 5 fair will test whether the sector can quickly reconnect workers affected by the end of TOPP funding with employers that need experienced staff. - OCN is positioning the event as part of a broader effort to strengthen and sustain the organic workforce nationwide.

The bottom line: - As federal organic workforce funding ends, the Organic Career Network is trying to prevent a talent drain by matching experienced professionals with new opportunities in the sector.