CULTIVATEGROWTH MENTORSHIP: GAINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Learning the ins and outs of managing a farm operation takes time, patience, and sometimes learning tough lessons the hard way. Each changing season, market fluctuation and irregular weather patterns all pose new challenges to farms regardless of size or experience. While this crucial knowledge isn’t learned overnight, young, beginning, and small farmers looking for guidance and a way to fast-track their farm management knowledge base can do so with a mentorship program.

Created with this in mind, GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Mentorship provides a way for industry leaders to share their lifetime of these lessons and expertise with young, beginning, and small farmers. The current 2022-2024 mentorship class is underway and both mentors and mentees have already benefited from the friendships formed.

Cassandra Eadie, an Ottawa County dairy farmer, is currently participating in the program as a mentee in hopes of learning alongside someone who is well-established in the industry. As her and her husband, Andrew, work to purchase and transition the farm from Andrew’s parents to themselves, they are mapping out a plan for future plans and success. Through this transition, Cassandra knew the value of having an outsider’s experienced voice to guide her and share farm management insight would be crucial in helping her define and reach the goals Andrew and she have.

The program kicked off in late 2022 and has provided Cassandra and her mentor with opportunities to connect with one another and tour each other’s operation. Her mentor, Anna, a Kent County Dairy farmer, has shared more than just business guidance - the two have bonded together on their faith and through sharing stories of personal growth. As for the next couple of months, Anna and Cassandra will continue to meet and will visit each other’s farms – something that is highly encouraged in the CultivateGrowth Mentorship.

The next class of mentees and mentors will kick off fall 2024 but interested future participants can apply online now. Visit greenstonefcs.com/mentorship to learn more! ■