Meet Mentor
Lili Tova
You just need to start the process to learn all of the parts and pieces that goes into being certified organic, says Lili Tova, owner of Flying Coyote Farm, a certified vegetable farm in Sandy, OR. Organic certification is not nearly as daunting as many think it is, Lili finds, farmers just need to take a step forward and get started. Lili is a mentor in the NW TOPP mentorship program, supporting and guiding growers through organic certification and production.
Mentoring is one of the best parts of her job nowadays, now that she has 11 years of experience running her own certified organic farm, managing interns, staff, and making a lot of mistakes along the way. Her years of experience have led her to take on the role of mentor where she now helps other growers navigate their mistakes in a beneficial way and provides guidance to avoid many mistakes in the first place.
Especially with organic certification. Lili can make the process easy, approachable, and doable. Lili, and other mentors in the TOPP mentorship program, walk growers through each step of the process and provide individualized guidance. July 2024
Whether it is developing recordkeeping systems to meet organic requirements, developing an organic system plan, or fine tuning production practices to make organic farming profitable, Lili and other mentors will take each unique grower’s needs into account to help them meet their own goals.
Lili is just one mentor in a network of mentors available across the northwest region states. Mentors provide guidance in all different areas of organic production, from grains to blueberries, orchards to vegetables, sheep to cattle, mentors can help all producers interested in organic certification make the first step towards getting certified.