YBSF Resources

FARM FORWARD MENTORSHIP

Committed to agriculture, GreenStone focuses on providing both financial and educational resources to help prepare the next generation of industry leaders for success. With this in mind, the fourth round of the cooperative’s Farm Forward Mentorship program partnered 21 individuals together, a young, beginning or small farmer to be mentored by an experienced farmer of a similar commodity.

Through this mentorship program, mentors share industry knowledge and pass along years of lifelong lessons operating a farm to their mentee to better equip them for the many challenges faced when entering agriculture. After launching in February, program participants met with their partner in-person several times during the spring to connect with their partner and learn more about each other’s operation. Whether those meetings were in-person, via video chat or simply a phone call, participants were encouraged to share ideas, ask questions and use one another as a resource. One of those meetings consisted of an in-person, on-farm visit to tour their partner’s operation – a crucial step in the mentorship process. The farm tours deepen each participant’s understanding of their partner’s farm and kicks off the friendship between the mentor and mentee. A valuable resource for the mentees, these on-farm visits provide the young, beginning and small farmers a chance to gain insight on a larger or more experienced farm while possibly helping them envision a more defined future goal for themselves. They can freely ask questions and use this shared information to execute more efficient changes on their farm - leading to longterm success.

Just as they offer the mentees a chance to better understand practices implemented by experienced farmers, each farm visit provides an equal opportunity for mentors to learn about newer practices they might not have thought to look into. Working with someone who has a different background and possibly less experience in the industry can be extremely beneficial as it offers new perspective from a fresh set of eyes. Additionally, these visits can include discussion about emerging industry trends or regulation challenges and can lead to a stronger resolution for both through the different perspectives talking through the best way to approach these potential obstacles. “Our goal is to facilitate a collaboration of young farmers and senior experienced farmer pairings to learn from each other and help the young farmers be more successful in their business,” says Carl Jessen, Jessen Coaching LLC and GreenStone program facilitator. “Having an in-person farm visit within the first two months of the mentorship program gives the partners a better chance to know each other, understand each other’s farming operation and make that initial connection.”

As the program continues for the next 12 months, mentors and mentees will be encouraged to continue connecting often to discuss challenges, share ideas, and provide guidance. These conversations lead to both the mentor and mentee learning from one another and often resulting in friendships lasting long after the program concludes.

For more information on GreenStone’s Farm Forward Mentorship, visit www. GreenStoneFCS.com/YBSF. ■

GROW FORWARD GRANT

GreenStone recognizes the importance of young, beginning, and small farmers and the role they play in sustaining rural communities and agriculture. To provide this pivotal cohort of producers with the educational opportunities and support necessary for success, GreenStone once again is committing up to $40,000 to young, beginning, and small farmers through the cooperative’s 2021 Grow Forward Grant program.

Since launching the Grow Forward Grant program in 2018, individuals have taken advantage of the opportunities this grant provides by participating in a variety of programs. From forestry management, on-farm consultations, and even workshops to educate farmers on effectively communicating with consumers, each grant provides farmers a chance to gain valuable knowledge and personal growth. After purchasing 160 acres to expand on his family’s original 40-acre tree farm in the upper peninsula, Cameron Morford took advantage of GreenStone’s grant to expand his knowledge and set his up his

land as a qualified forest. Using the money from the grant, he was able to work with Grossman Forestry and a consultant to formulate a forest plan. Dollars from the grant enabled Cameron to build upon the knowledge he already possessed from growing up around logging and learn through hands-on experience with experts. When asked about advice he would give to someone thinking of applying for the Grow Forward Grant, Cameron said, “Definitely do it because it is a huge benefit and you learn a lot.” The grant provides up to $1,000 to current customers and up to $500 to non-GreenStone customers. Farmers, producers and loggers like Cameron who qualify as a young, beginning or small farmer are encouraged to apply for the grant today: www.greenstonefcs.com/ybsf. Eligibility: •Young, beginning or small farmer • 18-35 years of age, or • Farming for less than 10 years, or • Sustain annual gross sales from agricultural production of less than $250,000 • Must be eligible to be a member of GreenStone by residing in Michigan or northeast Wisconsin Intended grant use must fall within one of the following categories: • Agricultural programs/events: educational course/program (on-site or online), conference fees, etc. • GreenStone resources: first time use of accounting and tax services, technology support, etc.

• Non-GreenStone services: business and farm consultants, etc. For complete guidelines and the application, visit www.greenstonefcs.com/ybsf. ■

Definitely do it because it is a huge benefit and you learn a lot.