FREE Organic Inspector Training

January 22, 2026 - March 19, 2026

Registration Deadline: January 7, 2026 - 11:45PM


Contact: Contact Katie Brandt at brandtk7@msu.edu .

Michigan TOPP logo. Green circle with a leaf at the top and the state of Michigan as a cutout. The logo reads
Michigan TOPP is collaborating with Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association to offer this free online training.

Apply now for Michigan's Organic Inspector Training. This is an 8-week online training that you can complete following your own schedule. To become an inspector, there are assignments to complete and you'll be expected to participant in two farm visits with mock audits and connect with an inspector for mentorship.

FREE Organic Inspector Training 

  • When: January 22 to March 19 

 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 7th, 11:59 PM

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by Tuesday, January 12th
 
OEFFA Organic Inspector Training Program
January 22 to March 19, 2026
Free of Charge (Funded by USDA-AMS TOPP)
Course developed by OEFFA in collaboration with Midwest TOPP
 
After completion of this 8-week program, trainees will be eligible to be paired with an inspector mentor who will provide the mentorship hours required to start working as an independent organic inspector. Mentorship pairing is provided through Midwest TOPP and dependent on availability of inspector mentors. Priority will be given to the trainees available to immediately begin work as organic inspectors in Michigan.
 
Inspection work after training and mentorship is not guaranteed and it will be the responsibility of the trainee to contact Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) to solicit contract work. Though no guarantees of work are provided, participation in this program will give trainees the connections with ACAs such as OEFFA and MOSA that will provide opportunity for candidacy as organic inspectors.
 
Auditing this training will be an option for those who wish to increase their knowledge of organic certification without taking on work as an organic inspector. This option will include online training without graded assignments and in-person farm visits.
 
Format:
- 8-week online course with weekly assignments
- Includes 2 on-farm mock inspections in Michigan

Time Commitment:
- Approximately 4 hours per week of online coursework (varies by experience)
- Plus 2 full days for in-person farm visits

Eligibility:
- Priority given to Arkansas residents and those with organic farming experience
- Out-of-state applicants will be considered if able to attend the farm visits in Arkansas

Key Dates:
- Start: Thursday, January 22 
- End: Thursday, March 16 (final assignments due)
- Farm visits TBD

 

Register