Mentorship Tips

As a new or beginning farmer, regular access to an experienced mentor-farmer can be a huge help. Farmers generally agree that the most useful information comes from other farmers.  This year FarmLink has been helping new farmers to structure peer-to-peer mentorships that include sharing of information on business aspects of farming ­such as financial planning, farm financing, land tenure, and crop insurance. FarmLink's role in setting up mentorships is to facilitate an initial meeting between a beginning farmer and a prospective mentor farmer to discuss mentorship structures, topics, learning and teaching styles and a mentorship contract. A typical FarmLink mentorship involves a new grower who is already farming independently, and a more experienced grower nearby. The mentorship would likely involve a quarterly on-farm meeting to troubleshoot issues the new farmer is facing and phone time in between. FarmLink is also creating and collaborating with other organizations on regional electronic mentorship networks in each of our three regions where new growers can ask questions and exchange information with experienced and beginning local growers on-line. Here are some tips for both farmer mentors and new farmer mentees: ·      Are you ready to mentor or be mentored? Decide if this is the right time for you, if your schedule permits, and if you are ready for the commitment. ·      Determine whether you can work together. Make sure your values; time constraints, and work styles align in ways that make you comfortable working side-by-side. ·      Establish expectations & ground rules: What do you want to gain from this experience? How much time should be devoted?  When will that time be?  Can the mentee call anytime? What topics do you need assistance with? How much detail will be shared?  Is that information confidential? ·      Create a Work Plan- Is a contract needed? How will things be taught?  What's the best way to harness the mentor's teaching skills? How often will you meet  - quarterly or more/less often?  Will there be phone consultations?  When will the mentor be available?  Set up times and try to stick to them, but be flexible. ·      Put yourself in each other's shoes. Mentors may forget what's it's like to be starting out and new farmers may not realize the effort their mentors are putting in to help out. Remember that as the Mentorship evolves your relationship will change. ·      Be patient and trusting. No matter how much you plan, things may not work out the way you thought.  Take it slow and keep lines of communication open. ·      What happens if problems arise?  Set up an agreement to work through problems. Other organizations that help to facilitate internships, mentorships and apprenticeships include California Certified Organic Farmers, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), Multi-National Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program, and Sierra CRAFT.