Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York
Farmer to Farmer Mentoring Program
Call for Participants
What essential component of successful farming can’t be bought at any
price? Experience! Newcomers to organic farming are not always able to
draw on the experience of a neighbor during difficult start-up or
transition years. To meet this need, the Northeast Organic Farming
Association of New York (NOFA-NY) offers a mentoring program for novice
organic farmers. It ran with great success in 1996 and 1997, and, with
new funding, we are offering it again in 2000.
The program is designed to help farmers less experienced in organic
production by matching them with veterans in the same production areas.
experienced farmers with less experienced farmers..
Farmer mentors are experienced farmers, certified organic in such areas
as vegetable production, livestock systems, small grains, and dairy.
Farmer participants may be either newer farmers looking to take further
steps in their operations or experienced farmers interested in
transitioning to organic production practices. Newer farmers must have
at least two years of commercial production experience to apply.
Participants commit to the program for the entire growing season. In
the spring, the mentor visits the new grower to tour the farm, offer
suggestions, and together look over and modify a farm plan. Farmer
mentors are available for advice throughout the season. The learning
farmer also visits the mentor for an educational tour and further
discussions. In October, corrections and updates to the farm plan are
made and a final assessment is conducted.
There is no fee to participate in the program and mentors are reimbursed
by NOFA-NY for their time. If you are interested in participating as
either a new grower or transitioning to organic growing, please contact
NOFA-NY's Project Coordinator, Victoria Zeppelin, at (607) 277-5235 (or
email to vcz1@cornell.edu) as soon as possible. Or write:212 Turkey
Hill Road #3 Ithaca, NY 14850
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