Grower Programs

Farmer To Farmer Mentorship

AUA’s Farmer to Farmer Mentorship Program pairs emerging earth stewards with experienced earth stewards in a six month hybrid (on-farm and virtual) mentorship program.

[Image: Azizah Ashraf-Ali, Founder of A&P Paradise Garden at Growing Solutions Farm]

Latest update:

We are not accepting applications at this time and 2024 programming is currently underway! Read on for more info about the program and for ways to stay in the know for future updates.

Supportive Mentorship for Emerging Growers

Mushrooms and Farm Infrastructure with Kevin Erickson at Loyola SES

[Image: Mushrooms and Farm Infrastructure with Kevin Erickson at Loyola SES]

About the program

Calling on the rich knowledge in our growing community, the program provides a space for:

  • Self-directed learning on agricultural topics 

  • Share in mentor’s wealth of knowledge

  • Mutually beneficial relationships 

This program expands educational opportunities for emerging growers to engage in and learn about: 

  • Growing food, flowers, medicine, farming animals and insects in Chicagoland

  • Access to quality, safe food through technical knowledge sharing

  • Skills for environmental conservation of soil, water, and air in our region

  • The web of collective power and solidarity amongst Chicago area farmers.

Our mailing address:

Advocates for Urban Agriculture
PO Box 168083
Chicago, IL 60616

AUA recognizes that transforming our food future requires us to think critically about the ways we engage with labor and compensation practices.

For this reason, both mentors and mentees are compensated for their time, commitment, and labor throughout the duration of the program.

Mentees are given the opportunity to learn in-depth what it is to be a farmer at no cost. This program is free to mentees receiving mentorship, and compensates mentees for their time and labor while completing hands-on learning at a rate of $25/hour.  

Mentors are compensated for their time dedicated to knowledge sharing and for their expertise. AUA’s Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship mentors are farm business owners, farmer trainers, experienced composters, experienced beekeepers, farmed animal keepers, permaculture instructors, controlled environment and indoor growers.

The Process

We’re no longer accepting applications for the 2024 Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship program period from May through December of 2024. Read on for our typical process in order to prepare yourself for when applications do open.

Once matched, mentees and mentors, with the support and guidance of AUA staff, curate a learning plan for the course of the program complete with learning outcomes which fit their particular goals, outline an apprenticeship schedule which includes 10 hours of both on site and virtual learning opportunities, as well attend workshop and farm work day opportunities facilitated by AUA staff providing technical support on topics including, but not limited to: soil safety/wellness/health, water access, and farm infrastructure.

01

Announcement

Open enrollment for the program was announced in early 2024.

02

1st Cohort Meeting

Save the date, the first F2F cohort meeting was May 15th, 2024 at 5pm CST. 

03

Monthly Gatherings

Every month through November, we’ll have one cohort gathering where we engage in skill-learning and knowledge sharing. 

04

Application Deadline

If you are interested, please submit a completed application by April 22nd, 2024 at 3pm CST.

05

Ongoing 1 on 1 mentorship

Every month, mentees and mentors engage in 1 on 1 mentorship hours to support mentees in their educational goals relating to urban agriculture

Apply Now

If you are interested, please submit a completed application by April 22nd at 3pm. This cohort will consist of up to seven pairs. Submitting an application for consideration does not guarantee acceptance or participation in the program. There are multiple ways to submit an application. Regardless of submission style, applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. AUA accepts applications in one of the following ways:

 

Ways to Apply:

  • Click here to apply

  • For a downloadable version of the application, click here.

    To be emailed to bea@auachicago.org

  • If you want to submit your application orally, please email Bea at bea@auachicago.org to set up a time to talk before the application deadline. Please make the subject line of your email ‘Farmer to Farmer Mentorship Oral Application Request’.

  • For a downloadable version of the application, click here.

    Mail to:

    Advocates for Urban Agriculture, PO Box 168083, Chicago, IL 60616.

    Mailed applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. AUA suggests sending in your application at least one week prior to the deadline. If mailed, Bea will reach out to you directly to confirm whether your application was received by the deadline.