This is the core mentee curriculum for the Organic Grain Mentorship Program occurring in Illinois. This resource outlines the structure of the program, the major topics to be covered, and a system of feedback and evaluation for mentors, mentees, and the program.
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ORGANIC GRAIN
MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM
Portions of this program are generously supported through TOPP.
Table of
Contents
02
INTRODUCTION
02
02
03
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SCHEDULE AND STRUCTURE
OUTCOMES
04
04
05
06
08
08
09
11
11
12
12
CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE ORGANIC GRAIN
THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM & REGULATIONS
SOIL HEALTH & FERTILITY IN ORGANICS
CROP ROTATION
TILLAGE & CULTIVATION
WEED CONTROL
PEST & DISEASE MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
ORGANIC TRANSITION
HARVEST & STORAGE
PROFITABILITY & MARKETING
13
FEEDBACK, SURVEYS, AND MENTEE/MENTOR
COMMUNICATIONS
CHECK-INS AND PROGRESS REVIEWS
CHECK-IN GUIDE FOR MENTORS AND MENTEES
MENTEE PRE-SEASON SURVEY
MID-SEASON SURVEY – MENTEE
MID-SEASON SURVEY – MENTOR
END-OF-SEASON SURVEY – MENTEE
END-OF-SEASON SURVEY – MENTOR
13
14
15
16
16
17
18
1
Introduction
Welcome to the Organic Grain Mentorship Program. We are grateful for your participation in this
program and are excited to go on this organic grain journey with you side by side. This packet is
meant to be an added tool in your toolbox, filled with resources and guidance throughout this
process. It is not meant as a complete step by step guide – you are the expert – this is merely a
resource to use as you see fit and to provide structure to the learning and mentorship over the
course of this year. This resource will begin with an outline and structure of the program, followed
by the major topics to be covered, and a system of feedback and evaluation for you and the
program.
Program Overview
Schedule and Structure
February 2-3: Free attendance at the OGRAIN Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
February 2024: The program begins at the 2024 Organic Grain Conference – The cohort,
including Mentors and Mentees, meet in person for the first time and participants begin meeting
individually. The Organic Grain Conference is a great opportunity for mentors and mentees to
discuss their relationship, mentee needs, and mentorship goals.
February-June 2024: The first phase of the mentorship program in which mentees participate in
monthly webinars to expand their skillset around organic grain production and transition.
Module 1: Whole Farm Planning and Systems Thinking – February 28th
Module 2: Financial Planning with Paul Dietmann – March 27th
Module 3: Marketing Your Operation – April 24th
Module 4: Business Planning and Management – Andy Larson – May 19th
Module 5: Connecting to Resources and Creatively Diversifying your Operation – June 26th
During this period, mentees and mentors should meet at least twice if possible, ideally once in
person and once over the phone. The goal of these meetings is to help mentees think like
organic farmers, to be adaptable and think creatively about how to solve problems. Mentors
are here to support mentees in this process of shifting their perspectives and expanding that
toolbox. Mentors and transitioning producers will work together to set goals for the mentorship
year and will form a strong network of organic producers across the region. Mentors will serve
as a resource for apprentices to answer questions, offer guidance, and provide support
throughout the year of growing.
2
July 2024 – December 2024: The final phase of the mentorship takes up the latter half of the
Organic Grain Mentorship Program. During this phase, the bulk of the program will be focused on
the partnership between mentor and mentee. There will be seasonal check-ins between mentors
and mentees, regular opportunities for reflection, feedback, and evaluation, and seasonal events
and field days related to organic production practices. Mentees are encouraged to be in touch
with their mentors as frequently as is helpful though we recommend being in touch at least
monthly.
Outcomes
This program will facilitate peer networking among beginning and experienced grain farmers.
We hope to create ongoing support systems to encourage knowledge sharing across farmers in
our region accelerating experimentation with and adoption of organic and regenerative
practices. Increasing the number of farmers confident in their ability to operate an organic grain
enterprise and fostering a peer-to-peer network will help increase the organically-farmed
acreage in our region. We hope this work will have cascading environmental effects including
increased climate resiliency, increased biodiversity, and reduced pollution of our air and water.
Ultimately, we hope to further develop mentees into mentors for new farmers over the long term.
This program would not be possible without the generous support of the Transition to
Organic Partnership Program. The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) exists
to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing
organic farmers.
3
Core Competencies
of the OGM Program
Below are some of the core competencies in organic grain production and transition we hope
mentees will gain over the course of the mentorship program. While not an exhaustive list, the
categories below cover the major components to be covered over the coming year. This
resource is meant to establish a systems thinking approach that understands the
interconnectedness of each of these topics – that concepts like crop rotation affect issues like
soil health and pest management. This list is not meant to simply explain all the concepts below
but rather provide resources for you to engage and explore these subjects in greater depth.
Each subject contains a variety of resources ranging from university and other research
institutions, federal regulations, or other trusted educational publications. While these resources
have been vetted by the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS) please don’t hesitate to
reach out with any questions about concepts or resources listed below.
The National Organic Program & Regulations
Learning Goals: to understand the structure of the NOP, the NOP rulemaking process,
understanding how the NOP applies to your operation and farming system
Resources:
Top 7 Regulations You Should Know:
§205.202(c) – Organic crops must remain uncontaminated by prohibited substances which is
accomplished by having sufficient buffers around organic fields.
§205.204 – Organic farms must us organic seed when commercially available
§205.205 – Organic farms must use a crop rotation that achieves 4 goals: maintain or improve
soil organic matter content, provide for pest management in annual and perennial crops,
manage deficient or excess plant nutrients, and provide erosion control.
§205.203(a) – Tillage practices must maintain or improve soil conditions and minimize erosion
§205.105 – Materials used in organics must comply with the National List of Allowed and
Prohibited Substances
§205.203(c) – Organic cropping systems must maintain or improve soil health and water
quality
§205.206(a) – Organic farms must use preventative management before applying substances
for pest, weed, or disease control
Code of Federal Regualtions: e-CFR:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205?toc=1
The National List:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/national-list
4
Organic Certification Training Video – https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organiccertification/training
International Organic Inspectors Association – https://www.ioia.net
Canadian Organic Growers Book for Purchase
OFRF Organic Crop Training
Recordkeeping resource – https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu
Recordkeeping resource – https://mofgacertification.org/record-keeping-fororganic-producers/
Soil Health & Fertility in Organics
Learning Goals: Understand the 5 principles of soil health, the organic regulations that support
soil health, and how soil health influences success
Resources:
Soil Fertility Management for Organic Crops – University of California, Division of Agriculture
and Natural Resources
Nutrient Management on Organic Vegetable Farms – University of Vermont Extension
OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute https://www.omri.org/ – an independent
organization that maintains an extensive list of allowed and prohibited inputs and products
National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances, §§ 205.600-205.606
Presentation – Dr. Jill Clapperton on how soil biology creates healthy soil – Soil Health
Principles
Podcast – Allen Philo on the Foundations of Fertility
Resource – Soil Health Review
Resource Collection – Soil Quality & Health in Organic Systems
5
Soil Balancing:
“A Primer on Soil Balancing and its Application” CFAES Ohio Agricultural Research and
Development Center, Ohio State University.
https://offer.osu.edu/sites/offer/files/imce/Files/SB%20primer%20Final.pdf
Soil Balancing Team Resources – OFFER Ohio State University https://offer.osu.edu/soilbalancing/resources
“Fertigation in Organic Vegetable Production Systems” eOrganic
“Supplying and Managing Organic Nutrients – Organic Soil Fertility” eOrganic
Crop Rotation
Learning Goals: Understand the six principles of crop rotation, the goals of crop rotation, and the
role of context in designing a crop rotation.
Resources:
The six principles of crop rotation (adapted from “Better Soils for Better Crops”, a SARE
publication):
Principle 1:
Grow fertilizer/fertility in place
Principle 2:
Follow legumes with hungry feeders
Principle 3:
Break pest/disease cycles
Principle 4:
Control weeds
Principle 5:
Supercharge the system with livestock
Principle 6:
Steward the soil
Crop Rotation on Organic Farms – https://www.sare.org/resources/crop-rotation-onorganic-farms/
Building Soils for Better Crops – https://www.sare.org/resources/building-soils-for-bettercrops/
Organic Field Crop Handbook – https://cog-shop.myshopify.com/products/organic-fieldcrop-handbook-3rd-edition
Risk Management Guide for Organic Producers https://organicriskmanagement.umn.edu/sites/organicriskmanagement.umn.edu/files/202102/risk_managment_publication.pdf
Systems Research for Agriculture: Innovative Solutions to Complex Challenges https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Systems-Research-for-Agriculture.pdf
Managing Cover Crops Profitably – https://www.sare.org/resources/managing-cover-cropsprofitably-3rd-edition/
Risk Management Guide for Organic Producers https://organicriskmanagement.umn.edu/sites/organicriskmanagement.umn.edu/files/202102/risk_managment_publication.pdf
Vegetable crop families – vegetable plant families.pdf
Example vegetable crop rotations – cover crop maps from crop rotation on organic farms.pdf
The uses of crop rotation on vegetable farms – the uses of crop rotation – from cc on organic
farms.pdf
The Rules of Thumb on Developing a Crop Rotation – Numerous organic growers were asked
to share their crop sequencing “rules of thumb.” These illustrate the common practices of many
organic growers.
6
Tillage, Cultivation, & Equipment
Learning Goals: Understand ways to reduce tillage passes, how to use cover crops to reduce
tillage, and an introduction to equipment options
Resources:
FISTS = Frequency, Intensity, Scale, Timing, Soil Health
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports,
includes: understanding soil life, practical conservation tillage, cover crop selection and
management, weed management, water quality, nutrient management, building organic
matter, and more.
Moebius-Clune, B.N., et al. 2017. Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health: The Cornell
Framework. Edition 3.2. Cornell University. http://www.css.cornell.edu/extension/soilhealth/manual.pdf
Equipment:
Practical Farmers of Iowa – Small Grains Equipment Essentials
I & J Cover Crop Roller https://croproller.com/
Dawn Roller/Crimper http://dawnequipment.com/product/zrx/
Roller Crimper Blueprints from Rodale Institute
Interseeding Cover Crops:
Smith, M., Eiter, B. 2020. “Interseeding Cover Crops into Early-Season Corn.” Albert Lea Seed.
https://alseed.com/interseeding-cover-crops-into-early-season-corn/
Grain Growers Webinar with Erin Silva. Interseeding Cover Crops. March 24, 2010.
Smith, D.H, Moore, V.M., Ruark, M., Silva, E. 2019. “Interseeding Cover Crops in Row-cultivated
Corn.” A4175. The Learning Store. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/products/interseeding-cover-crops-in-rowcultivated-corn
No-till Articles & Resources:
No-Till and Reduced-Till Organic Fact Sheets and Articles from University of WisconsinMadison/OGRAIN https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/resources/topics/no-till-and-reduced-tillorganic/
7
Weed Control
Learning Goals: Understand the goals of organic weed control and the strategies and tools
available for organic weed control
Resources:
Comprehensive list of weed ID guides: https://wssa.net/wssa/weed/weedidentification/weed-id-pages/
Manage Weeds on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies – Chapter 2: How to think
about weeds, from Manage-Weeds-on-Your-Farm.pdf
Know the Weeds | eOrganic; Author Mark Schonbeck.
Weed Profiles | eOrganic
North Carolina study:
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatiom/232666116_Seeding_Rate_Effects_on_Weed_C
ontrol_and_Yield_For_Organic_Soybean_Production
Canadian research:
https://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/naturalagriculture/weed/files/singleseason/seed_rate
_e.htm
Montana study: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4046575
Mirsky study: https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?
seqNo115=360583sdf
Manage Weeds on Your Farm: a Guide to Ecological Strategies: Characteristics of Weeds
That Affect Their Management
The Art and Science of Cultivation: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLr2Fb2Gh3HiEMqJRcvoQyNv2G7jDcoaHy
Organic Weed Control – Practical Farmers of Iowa: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PL5v5mi3djmDtVQW3bGPiAFflHO4W35Maz
The Land Connection – Mechanical Weed Control Field Guide
Manitoba Organic Growers – Youtube Video Resource
Managing Weeds in Organic Row Crops – SARE Video
Case Studies:
Article: Weed the Soil, Not the Crop
Video YouTube Playlist Produced by Oregon State University:
eOrganic Weed Em and Reap Part 1
eOrganic Weed Em and Reap Part 2: High- Residue Reduced- Till System
8
Pest & Disease Management
Learning Goals: Understand the importance of a healthy agroecosystem for organic pest and
disease control
Resources:
Insect Management on Organic Farms – https://cefs.ncsu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/insectmgmtfinaljan09.pdf?x77888
Farmscaping: Making Use of Nature’s Pest Management Services | eOrganic
Insect Pest Management: Differences Between Conventional and Organic Farming Systems |
eOrganic
How Ecologically Based Pest Management Works | Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to
Ecological Strategies
Case Study:
Farmscaping: Making Use of Nature’s Pest Management Services | eOrganic, eOrganic
author: Geoff Zehnder, Clemson University
Examples of Ecological Pest Management
Article from Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies
Video:
Pest Management Case Study, Quiet Creek Farm – This is a Penn State Farm Profiles Video
posted Sep 14, 2012, directed by Tianna DuPont. This series of videos is designed to give new
farmers ideas and advice from experienced producers. In this video, John Good discusses pest
management strategies and practices on this farm, including the use of row covers, succession
planting and spraying of organic pest control products.
Pollinators and Conservation
·Xerces Society
https://www.xerces.org/publications/guidelines/farming-for-bees
https://www.xerces.org/soil-life
Youtube Video Resources
9
Pest Management – Field Crop Pests – Purdue University https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/newsearch.asp?subCatID=306%20&CatID=12
Managing Plant Diseases with Crop Rotation – https://www.sare.org/publications/croprotation-on-organic-farms/physical-and-biological-processes-in-cropproduction/managing-plant-diseases-with-crop-rotation/
Organic Crop Production Disease Management https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-andindustry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/organic-crops/organiccrop-production-disease-management
Manage Insects on Your Farm – https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Manage-Insectson-Your-Farm.pdf
Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies Article – Impacts of fertilizers
on pests.pdf
Video – Scouting for Vegetable and Fruit Pests on Organic Farms
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-G
OMRI – https://www.omri.org/
Common Organic Pesticides – https://www.thespruce.com/common-organic-gardenpesticides-1402497
Organic Insecticides – https://extension.psu.edu/organic-insecticides
Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management – https://www.sare.org/wpcontent/uploads/Resource-Guide-for-Organic-Insect-and-Disease-Management.pdf
Organic Farmer Pesticide Use – https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/wait-organic-farmers-usepesticides/
Understanding Pesticides in Organic and Conventional Crop Production Systems https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-69
Manage Insects on Your Farm – https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Manage-Insectson-Your-Farm.pdf
Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management – https://www.sare.org/wpcontent/uploads/Resource-Guide-for-Organic-Insect-and-Disease-Management.pdf
Insecticide Comparison Chart – insecticides-comparison-chart.pdf
Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual Article – Managing Plant Diseases with
Crop Rotation – Managing disease and insects with crop rotation.pdf
10
Organic Certification
Learning Goals: Understand the steps to organic certification, how the organic system plan is
constructed, how an organic inspection works.
Resources:
NOP Guidance: Seeds, Annual Seedlings, and Planting Stock in Organic Crop Production https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/5029.pdf
NOP Guidance: Commingling and Contamination Prevention in Organic Production and
Handling – https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/5025.pdf
Use of Cleaners & Sanitizers in Organic Production & Handling – https://paorganic.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/01/Guidance-General-Use-of-Cleaners-and-Sanitizers-in-OrganicProduction-and-Handling.pdf
Organic Transition
Learning Goals: Understand the organic transition process, the economics of transition, and
systems thinking perspective.
Resources:
OGRAIN https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38afeeP0T4qvnDf
ISU – https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/12267
PSU – https://extension.psu.edu/organic-grain-crop-enterprise-budgets
MT – https://agresearch.montana.edu/carc/OrganicCropBudget.html
Book on Organic Transition – Gaining Ground
11
Profitability & Marketing
Learning Goals: Understand the dynamics of organic financials and common marketing practices
in organics.
Resources:
OGRAIN Compass – https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/resources/ograin-compass/
Purdue Comparison of Conventional & Organic Crop Rotations (Spreadsheet Tool) https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/resource/2021/10/comparison-ofconventional-and-organic-crop-rotations-tool/
Purdue Comparison of Conventional Crop Rotation with an Organic Forage-Based Crop
Rotation (Spreadsheet Tool) https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/resource/2021/10/comparison-ofconventional-crop-rotation-with-an-organic-forage-based-crop-rotation-tool/
Current Trends in Organic Grain Marketing – https://extension.psu.edu/current-trends-inorganic-grain-marketing
OGRAIN Buyer and Brokers – https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/resources/organic-grain-resourcelist/buyers-and-brokers/
Organic and Non-GMO report – https://non-gmoreport.com/
USDA Organic Integrity Database – https://organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/sdf
Harvest & Storage
Learning Goals: Understand risk factors for consideration at harvest and organic methods for
controlling pests in storage.
Resources:
Example equipment cleanout log – https://www.nofany.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/11/Equipment-Cleaning-and-Purging-Log.pdf
Growing for Market. Efficient Harvesting Article – Efficient Harvesting.pdf
NC Growing Together. Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best
Practices for Fresh Produce – wholesale-and-retail-product-specs.pdf
The Good Acre. Wholesale Standards – wholesale vegetable standards.pdf
Think about Stored Grain Pests before Harvest https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2009/09/think-about-stored-grain-pestsharvest
Management of Stored Grain Pests in Organic Systems https://extension.psu.edu/management-of-stored-grain-pests-in-organic-systems
Oregon State University – Grains & Pulses
12
Feedback, Surveys,
and Mentee/Mentor
Communications
Check-Ins and Progress Reviews
(Source: Fairshare CSA Coalition)
Throughout the program, mentors and mentees should meet for monthly or bi-monthly check-ins.
These check-ins can be brief and are meant to create a dedicated time to touch base on how
the program and season are going. The Check-In Guide is a template that provides a list of
possible discussion topics and questions. Early in the program, pairs should discuss who will take
the lead on scheduling these check-ins.
Formal surveys and check-ins with the Program Manager are also a valuable part of the
mentorship program. Beyond allowing for more rigorous evaluation of the program, these tools
identify additional training and support that may be needed to help mentors and mentees
meet their goals. Apart from the monthly check-ins, which mentees and mentors will conduct on
their own, the Program Manager will administer these components.
In addition to these fixed components, the Program Manager is also available to meet with
mentees and/or mentors on a regular or as-needed basis.
Feedback, Surveys, and Communication
When?
February 2023
July
December
Ongoing
13
What?
Who?
Orientation Meeting at OGRAIN
Conference
All incoming mentor/mentee pairs
Pre-Season Survey
Mentees
Mid-Season Survey
Mentors and Mentees
End-of-Season Survey
Mentors and Mentees
Shared conversation
Mentors and Mentees
Monthly Check-ins
Mentors and Mentees
Check-in Guide for Mentors and Mentees (Source: Fairshare CSA
Coalition)
Estimated time to complete: up to 30 minutes
This is a template for mentors and mentees to guide their check-ins. Please feel free to copy
and customize this document for each check-in. There are a number of example questions
provided for you to consider. Simply delete the questions you don’t want to discuss or add new
ones. Try to aim for a total of 3-5 questions. Use the “Check-in Notes” and “Action Items” space
at the bottom to record key take-aways from each check-in.
Check-in Tips/Activities:
Use this time to connect on any tasks and steps accomplished during the previous month.
Identify any priorities for the coming month.
Look through the mentees Pre-Season Survey to identify the mentee’s learning goals and
the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish them. Assess both progress and gaps.
Possible Check-in Questions:
Opening the Conversation
What’s going well? Any wins since our last check-in?
Last time we talked, you mentioned (fill in the blank) was feeling somewhat
challenging. How’s that been going?
What’s something new you’ve learned since our last check-in?
Are there skills you want to develop?
Is there any additional training or education you’re interested in?
Delivering Farmer Feedback
I noticed you’re doing (this). I’d like you to try it this way instead because (insert).
Here’s what I’ve found to work best with this task, and here’s why.
I’d like to offer you some feedback on something I noticed earlier.
Here’s where I think there’s an opportunity to improve (in this area).
Support and Communication
What is working well in terms of communication? Are there any areas we should
focus on and/or work to improve?
Has anything been particularly challenging lately?
Are there things I can do to support you?
What can I do as a mentor to make your experience better?
What aspects of your work would you like more or less direction in?
Closing the Conversation
What feedback or questions do you have for me?
What can I help you with between now and the next time we meet?
Is there anything we didn’t cover today that we should talk about next time?
Record check-in notes and list any action items
14
Mentee Pre-Season Survey (Source: Fairshare CSA Coalition)
Estimated time to complete: up to 15 minutes
Date:
Answering these questions will help guide your learning experience during your mentorship
program. This is a living document that can be adjusted at any time.
What are your goals for the Organic Grain Mentorship Program? Please share a few shortterm (1-5 years) and a few longer-term goals (5+ years).
What do you need to do or learn to accomplish these goals?
What skills will you need to develop to accomplish these goals?
Please record your level of knowledge for each of the following concepts/topics:
No understanding (1); Very Little Understanding (2); Basic Understanding (3); Working
Knowledge (4); Complete or Substantial Understanding (5)
The National Organic Program & Regulations (the structure of the NOP and the NOP
rulemaking process)
Soil health & fertility in organics (5 principles of soil health, the organic regulations that
support soil health, and how soil health influences success)
Crop rotation (six principles of crop rotation, the goals of crop rotation, and the role of
context in designing a crop rotation)
Tillage & cultivation (ways to reduce tillage passes, how to use cover crops to reduce
tillage, and the system of organic no-till)
Weed control (the goals of organic weed control and the strategies and tools available
for organic weed control)
Pest & disease management (the importance of a healthy agroecosystem for organic
pest and disease control)
Organic certification (steps to organic certification, how the organic system plan is
constructed, how an organic inspection works)
Organic Transition (the organic transition process and the economics of transition)
Harvest & storage (risk factors for consideration at harvest and organic methods for
controlling pests in storage)
Profitability & marketing (dynamics of organic financials and common marketing
practices in organics)
Mid-Season Survey – Mentee
Estimated time to complete: up to 10 minute minutess
*Administered through Google Forms
Please record your level of satisfaction for each of the following questions:
Very Dissatisfied; Somewhat Dissatisfied; Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied; Somewhat
Satisfied; Very Satisfied
How satisfied are you with the webinars in meeting your learning needs?
How satisfied are you with the level of learning you have had during
the season?
How satisfied are you with the experience with your mentor farmer?
How satisfied are you with your relationship with your mentor farmer?
How satisfied are you with your informal monthly or bimonthly check-ins with your mentor
farmer?
What else do you want us to know about your experience in the mentorship program?
Mid-Season Survey – Mentor
Estimated time to complete: up to 10 minute minutess
*Administered through Google Forms
Please record your level of satisfaction for each of the following questions:
Very Dissatisfied; Somewhat Dissatisfied; Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied; Somewhat
Satisfied; Very Satisfied
How satisfied are you with the mentor resources in meeting your mentoring needs?
How satisfied are you with your mentee’s ability to apply skills and knowledge on their farm?
How satisfied are you with your mentee’s organic management practices?
How satisfied are you with your relationship with your mentee?
How satisfied are you with your informal monthly/bimonthly check-ins?
What else do you want us to know about your experience in the mentorship program?
16
End-of-Season Survey – Mentee
Estimated time to complete: up to 10 minute minutes. We will follow up with open-ended
questions during the end-of-season interview.
*Administered through Google Forms
Please record your level of satisfaction for each of the following questions:
Very Dissatisfied; Somewhat Dissatisfied; Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied; Somewhat
Satisfied; Very Satisfied
How satisfied are you with the mentorship program in meeting your learning needs?
How satisfied are you with the level of learning you have experienced during the season?
How satisfied are you with the instruction from your farmer mentor?
How satisfied are you with your relationship with your farmer mentor?
How satisfied are you with your informal monthly/bimonthly check-ins?
What else do you want us to know about your experience in the mentorship program?
Please record your level of knowledge for each of the following concepts/topics:
No understanding (1); Very Little Understanding (2); Basic Understanding (3); Working
Knowledge (4); Complete or Substantial Understanding (5)
The National Organic Program & Regulations (the structure of the NOP and the NOP
rulemaking process)
Soil health & fertility in organics (5 principles of soil health, the organic regulations that
support soil health, and how soil health influences success)
Crop rotation (six principles of crop rotation, the goals of crop rotation, and the role of
context in designing a crop rotation)
Tillage & cultivation (ways to reduce tillage passes, how to use cover crops to reduce
tillage, and the system of organic no-till)
Weed control (the goals of organic weed control and the strategies and tools available
for organic weed control)
Pest & disease management (the importance of a healthy agroecosystem for organic
pest and disease control)
Organic certification (steps to organic certification, how the organic system plan is
constructed, how an organic inspection works)
Organic Transition (the organic transition process and the economics of transition)
Harvest & storage (risk factors for consideration at harvest and organic methods for
controlling pests in storage)
Profitability & marketing (dynamics of organic financials and common marketing
practices in organics)
End-of-Season Survey – Mentor
Estimated time to complete: up to 10 minutes. We will follow up with open-ended questions
during the end-of-season interview.
*Administered through Google Forms
Please record your level of satisfaction for each of the following questions:
Very Dissatisfied; Somewhat Dissatisfied; Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied; Somewhat
Satisfied; Very Satisfied
How satisfied are you with the mentorship program in meeting your mentoring needs?
How satisfied are you with your mentee’s ability to apply skills and knowledge to their
operation?
How satisfied are you with your mentee’s organic management practices?
How satisfied are you with your relationship with your mentee?
How satisfied are you with your informal monthly/bimonthly check-ins?
What else do you want us to know about your experience in the mentorship program?
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