Organic Seed Alliance is seeking seed growers willing to mentor seed students enrolled in our six-month long 2022 Organic Seed Production Online Course. This course is intended to compliment applied learning opportunities for students in internship positions on seed growing farms. In order to expand the diversity and inclusivity of students we’re expanding the program to include learners who do not have the opportunity to participate in an internship, but are in a position to grow seed on their own.
The role of the mentor seed grower is to provide support, feedback, and advice to the student on their seed growing experience in 2022 and in planning for achieving their personal/professional goals as a seed grower. Mentors commit to the following minimum levels of support, though the specific plans for engagement are determined between each mentor/ mentee relationship. Students will also have ongoing support from course instructors, guest presenters, and peer to peer discussions. The mentor is intended to compliment the course in a more personal consulting role rather than to teach the mentee seed growing per se.
Mentor/Mentee Guidelines
The role of the mentor seed grower is to provide support, feedback and advice to the student on their seed growing experience in 2022 and in planning for achieving their personal/professional goals as a seed grower. Mentors commit to the following minimum levels of support, and mentees agree to not pursue the mentor beyond the agreed commitment of time and attention. Upon meeting, mentors and mentees should decide what forms of communication will work best for them. If any issues or questions arise with the mentor/mentee relationship, please contact Michael Lordon at michael@seedalliance.org.
Mentors agree to:
- Meet with the student at the start of the season for at least 1 hour to gain familiarity with the students seed growing situation, their goals for the course, and their longer-term dreams of working with seed personally/ professionally. (1 hour estimated)
- Check in briefly (30 min) at least once a month to answer questions or provide feedback on current course projects, or suggest resources based on student’s needs and current course topics. (3 hrs estimated)
- Interview the student at the close of the course to provide feedback on their personal/ professional development plans, and recommendations for achieving their 1,3,5 yr goals after the course. (1.5 hrs estimated)
- Arrange at least 1, preferably more, opportunities for a site visit to the mentor’s farm to see their operation, potentially including a hands on work party or demonstration of seed harvesting/processing/cleaning. (estimated 2-4 hours on site visit)
- Complete mentor program evaluation to support program (1 hour)
- Total minimum time estimate 10 hours including time for program orientation with OSA orientation and wrap up.
