Humane Farming
Mentorship Program

Now accepting applications for our
Summer / Fall 2025 Mentorship Program

Gain the necessary knowledge to achieve your humane farming goals with support from an experienced Mentor.

Check out what’s new for 2025!

  • Two options to meet farmers’ specific needs: Beginner Farmer and Production Farmer

  • Production Farmers receive a $1,000 award for completed projects!

  • 2- 20 week Sessions a year to accommodate the seasonal needs of farmers

  • Limited to 6 mentees per session *additional qualified applicants can opt-in to the waitlist for future sessions.

“...having mentors can be the most important resource for beginning farmers. When your mentor has a lifetime of mistakes and successes they are willing to share, it can really save you and your animals. “ Carissa Miller, mentee 2022 & 2023

Beginner Farmer Mentees

  • Sharpen your skills and clarify your farm goals with the one-on-one guidance of an experienced mentor.

    0-3 years farming experience (some hands on knowledge is beneficial.)

    Comprehensive support for new and beginning livestock/poultry farmers interested in raising animals humanely for food.

    Sample topics for begnner farmers include:

    • steps to grow from a family farmer to a viable business

    • selecting breeds /species to meet your abilities and property

    • assessing healthy starter stock

    • fencing design and set-up

    • setting up water & feed systems

    • animal handeling

    • getting started with breeding (experience with animals req)

    • on-farm dairy; goat, cow or sheep

    • raising pastured poultry for meat & eggs

    • business planning

    • getting started with sales

    • connecting with your community

    • and more!

  • Cost: $50 (for 20 week session)

    Number of spots available: 6

    Program Duration: 5 months (20 weeks), 2 sessions annually

    • Winter/Spring Jan 27-June 16th, 2025 

    • Summer/Fall July 21-Dec 8, 2025

    What to Expect

    • Personalized mentorship with an experienced farmer to guide your journey.

    • Bi-weekly to Monthly mentor meetings to ensure ongoing support, guidance, and accountability.

    • Set 2-3 clear, impactful goals to drive your humane farming success and growth.

    • Opportunity to transition to the Production Farmer level in future sessions.

    Additional FACT Benefits:

    • Priority Conference Scholarship up to $400

    • Access to all FACT Webinars

    • Connect with other mentees in your cohort

    • Additional considerations for FACT’s Fund-a-Farmer Grant for the year you are enrolled

Production Farmer Mentees

  • Take your humane, pasture-based livestock or poultry business to new heights!

    With invaluable guidance from an experienced mentor and financial support toward an impactful project, FACT’s Production Farmer track is dedicated to improving the welfare of livestock through supporting the farmers that make it all possible!

    This track is for active livestock/poultry farmers who

    • have 4+ years farming experience

    • are actively providing meat, dairy or eggs to their community

    • consider their farming activities a business

    • seek focused guidance to

      • a) transition to pasture-based, humane practices or
        b) improve, expand or scale up their existing operations

    Our Production Mentee’s can focus on a variety of Humane Farming business related topics. For example:

    • increase stocking rates

    • launch breeding program/ improve genetics

    • introduce new species to existing operations

    • improve/update handling systems

    • begin/update on-farm butchering systems

    • Improve grazing systems, water access, manure handling…

    • launch/improve on-line sales platform

    • begin a Meat or Dairy CSA

    • launch agrotourism or educational programs

    • and more!

  • Cost: $200

    Number of spots available: 6

    Program Duration: 5 months (20 weeks), 2 sessions annually

    • Winter/Spring Jan 27-June 16th, 2025 or

    • Summer/Fall July 21-Dec 8, 2025

    What to Expect

    • Personalized mentorship with an experienced farmer

    • Weekly to bi-weekly mentor meetings to ensure ongoing support, guidance, and accountability.

    • Mentees will determine a single significant “project goal” that enhances their humane farming practices or associated business operations

    • Receive $1,000 award for a project completed within the 20 week session.

    • Mentees can have up to two additional goals to work on with their mentor

    Additional FACT Benefits:

    • Priority Conference Scholarship up to $400

    • Access to all FACT Webinars

    • Connect with other mentees in your cohort

    • Additional considerations for FACT’s Fund-a-Farmer Grant for the year you are enrolled

Mentors

  • Mentors are the backbone of our program! We have many wonderful farmers across the country who are passionate about supporting their fellow farmers while also improving our food system for the better.

    If you are interested in joining our network of mentor farmers, please read the info below to see if this is a good fit for you.

    We consider Mentors able and willing to:

    • dedicate the necessary time to actively engage and support their mentee. This often includes regular phone calls and emails with their mentee, and possible farm visits. Mentors can expect to connect weekly for brief check-ins and bi-weekly/monthly for more focused talks.

    • 10 years of experience or more raising animals using Humane and pasture-based practices.

    • Some experience in a teaching or mentor role is helpful but not required.

    • Retired? No problem. You are not required to be actively farming to be a great mentor.

    Mentors are required to demonstrate working knowledge and be in support of humane animal management practices.

  • Compensation:

    • $300 mentoring a Beginning Farmer

    • $500 mentoring a Production Farmer

    Program Duration: 5 months (20 weeks), 2 sessions annually

    • Winter/Spring Jan 27-June 16th, 2025 

    • Summer/Fall July 21-Dec 8, 2025

    What is Expected

    • Weekly check-in’s

    • Bi-weekly / monthly focused meetings to ensure ongoing support, guidance, and accountability.

    • Dedication to the time necessary to actively engage and support a mentee. This often includes regular phone calls, text and emails with their mentee, and possible farm visits.

    • FACT maintains a thorough matching process and we ask you to be available for a brief interview with any potential mentee matches. All parties must agree before FACT makes any formal assignments

    • Open-minded and understanding that mentees may have different backgrounds, challenges, financial needs and beliefs than your own.

    • Mentors are not expected to give financial, legal or veterinarian care advice.

    • Support from FACT staff through the entire 20 week session

    Additional FACT Benefits:

    • Priority Conference Scholarship up to $400

    • Access to all FACT Webinars

    • Connect with other mentors in your cohort

Have questions or wondering which track is right for you?
Email Katie at kmeade@foodanimalconcerns.org

Testimonials

“This program was incredible. Not only was I paired with someone who was most clearly the perfect Mentor, but now she will become a lifetime friend.”

Rachel, 2023 Program Mentee

“... this program is highly successful in not only helping people identify what they truly want from their agricultural enterprises... it helps people set priorities on how they wish to create the quality of life that they have.”

James Maginot, mentor 2020- current