Applications open for agricultural business mentorship program

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on October 9, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Applications are open for the new cohort of youth in farming seeking mentorship via the Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Network.

The program, which has been around since 2015, has been supporting both new and young farmers by pairing them with experienced farm owners. These mentors help them develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage their farm businesses.

This year, they are accepting up to 10 of these valuable mentorship pairings in each Western province.

To date, the program has worked with 163 farmers on 118 farms who have been paired with 75 mentors.

During their mentorship year, mentees reported an average increase in revenues of 87 per cent, volume of food produced by 65 per cent and land in production by 42 per cent.

“Learning that I am not alone and that others are trying to contribute to and improve our local food system has had a significant positive impact on my energy and hope for the future,” says 2023 mentee Terra Pombert, from Sunflowers Urban Farm. “This experience has been important for better business planning, focus and confidence in my venture and skills. I have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses as a farmer.”

Farmers in their first five years in business and located in one of the Western Canadian provinces are eligible to apply up until Oct. 31. This includes new farm operations as well as those taking over the family farm business.

Those interested are encouraged to learn more and apply at youngagrarians.org/business-mentorship-network, or to reach out to business@youngagrarians.org.

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