Humane Farming Mentorship Program
Our 2024 Mentorship Cohort is underway!
We are will start accepting applications for our 2025 Mentorship Season October 1, 2024.
We will begin accepting applications for our 2025 cohort October 1, 2024
FACT’s mentorship program is for beginning livestock and poultry farmers seeking personalized guidance from an experienced farmer on business strategies and management practices. It is designed for farmers who wish to raise their animals on pasture using sustainable, humane practices.
The program requires a one-year commitment and runs from February/March to December 15. The cost to be mentored is $200. Farmers who serve as mentors will be compensated $500. There is additional funding available for farm visits. This program is open to farmers in the United States.
To learn more about our Mentorship Program, read our blog posts: All About FACT’s Humane Farming Mentorship Program and Humane Farming Mentorship in Action. You can also watch the recording of our 2022 Mentorship Info Session.
Mentees
Who is eligible to be mentored?
Farmers who currently raise animals and have at least one year of farming experience are eligible to participate as mentees. Upon acceptance into the program, mentees will be asked to pay $200 to participate. A limited number of need-based partial scholarships are available.
Mentees are expected to be able to commit to regular phone calls and emails with their mentor, and possible farm visits. Expectations for the program, such as frequency of communication, will be determined by the mentor and the mentee.
What will mentees receive from the program?
Experienced mentors can provide guidance on obtaining humane certification, farming techniques, or business practices, as well as acting as a general reference and source support. The program is flexible, and can be tailored to meet individual goals and needs.
Both mentors and mentees will receive first preference for receiving FACT scholarships. FACT will also promote participating farmers on social media and other channels to increase visibility of their farm businesses. In addition, participants will have exclusive opportunities to interact with outside experts.
Mentors
Who is eligible to be a mentor?
We are looking for mentors able to commit the time needed to participate in the program, including regular phone calls and emails with their mentee, and possible farm visits.
Ideally, a mentor will have 10 years of experience or more raising animals. At minimum they must have five years of experience more than the mentee they are paired with. Some experience in a teaching or mentor role, either formal or informal is preferred.
Mentors must use humane animal management practices (evaluated by humane certification, or other documentation/website/photos.)
What will mentors receive from the program?
Mentors are compensated $500 for participating. An additional travel stipend of $600 is available per pair from FACT for farm visits.
Both mentors and mentees will receive first preference for receiving FACT scholarships. FACT will also promote participating farmers on social media and other channels to increase visibility of their farm businesses. In addition, participants will have exclusive opportunities to interact with outside experts.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Farmers who are interested in participating in the program as either a mentor or mentee should complete a brief online application. FACT staff members will review the submitted applications to determine eligibility.
We will contact farmers who are interested in becoming mentees to discuss their goals for the program. We will also speak with farmers interested in serving as mentors about their experience and expectations. Mentees will then be paired with a possible mentor based on type of animal raised, geographical location, and other preferences specified in the application. Please note, FACT may not be able to accept or pair all applicants.
Mentors and mentees will first meet over an initial phone screening, during which both parties decide on expectations before committing to the program. At that point, if both parties agree to the match, fees will be collected from the mentee and distributed to the mentor.
The mentoring itself is based on consistent phone and email communication, but farm visits and workshop attendance are highly encouraged. FACT will check in regularly with program participants to provide support, and organizes meetings and opportunities for additional enrichment.
At the conclusion of the 10-month term, all participants will be asked evaluate their experience in the program.
WHY A HUMANE FARMING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM?
To provide beginning farmers who want to raise their animals humanely with technical guidance, encourage them to successfully use humane practices and pursue humane certification, and foster a sense of community. FACT’s mentorship program is unique in that it (1) serves farmers across the country; (2) specifically benefits welfare oriented livestock and poultry farmers; and (3) includes farmers seeking one of six certifications, as well as those who are not necessarily pursuing certification (many programs are limited to one certification, often USDA Certified Organic).
Contact Katie at kmeade@foodanimalconcerns.org with any questions!