Here’s how the program works:

• Mentors and mentees both receive a $1,000 stipend to help cover their time engaging as well as travel to four in-person events. For mentors, this includes a half-day training on how to be a strong mentor.

• The mentorship program includes regular interactions for the mentor/mentee pair, including: 

  • A kick-off event and a closing event with all 10 mentor/mentee pairs. Both events will be hosted on a farm in central Indiana, including a farm tour, potluck, and time to get to know each other and reflect on the mentorship experience. 

  • A visit to the mentor’s farm.

  • A visit to the mentee’s farm.

  • Four virtual conversations via phone/zoom that dive into key topics.

  • The chance to ask questions in real time, as the season progresses, via text/email.

• We provide a workbook to guide the 10 mentorship sessions, including reflections to prepare for the session’s topic and prompts to facilitate the actual mentor-mentee conversation. Each pair decides what topics to cover for each meeting, and can tailor the curriculum to fit their mentee’s needs and the mentor’s experience.

We're happy that we've had excellent support from some partner organizations. This program is co-hosted by the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition (HYFC) and Partners IN Food and Farming (PIFF), with grant support from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's (ISDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant.

Update: We are not currently accepting applications for our Mentorship Program. We hope you will consider applying for our next round in late 2024. Be the first to know when we're accepting applications by signing up for PIFF's e-newsletter, and by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Curious about serving as a Mentor in the future? 

• Click here to read more about how Mentors will help their mentees, what's expected, and what's not.

Interested in being paired with a Mentor in the future?

• Click here to read more about what's expected of Mentees, what you might gain and how you'd contribute.