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Mentorship Program
Currently accepting applications on a rolling basis
For more information, contact Rachel Emus at gardens@ngbh.org
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Native Gardens of Blue Hill is piloting a Mentorship Program to provide guidance to new gardeners and land care professionals. Designed for gardeners that are committed to working professionally in Maine, the program aims to strengthen the pool of skilled and knowledgeable horticultural professionals in our area and to build a committed and collaborative network of ecological land care professionals.​

 

Mentees seek out their own mentors and the pair are expected to apply together. From June-November, the pair will dedicate 60 hours to one-on-one mentoring to help the mentee reach specific professional goals. Benefits include $2,000 for the mentor for their time and expertise, and $500 for the mentee for classes, workshops, tools, equipment, books, etc., that further their growth as a professional gardener. If you wish to apply but need a mentor, please reach out to us. We may be able to recommend a contact. 

Program Structure

The 60 hours of one-on-one mentoring can be fulfilled in a way that works best for the mentorship pair. It might look like a mix of hands-on activities and instruction, in-person meetings, phone or zoom conversations, emails, and resource sharing. The pair will determine what structure works best for them, and will demonstrate in their application how the mentee will reach their goals based on this plan. 

 

The timeframe in which the 60 hours are fulfilled may also be determined by the mentorship pair. Some pairs will choose to work together for a few hours each week, while others may wish to work together full-time for 1.5 weeks during the summer. 

 

NGBH will schedule several check-ins with the mentorship pairs throughout the season. These will be arranged via Zoom, with the exception of the end-of-season gathering in November, which will take place in person. The check-ins will serve as an opportunity for mentorship pairs to share progress and challenges, to learn from other mentorship pairs, and to share program feedback with NGBH staff. Mentorship pairs will present and celebrate their outcomes at the November gathering.

 
Criteria for Mentees

  • A minimum of one year of gardening experience and/or training, demonstrated through a resume and project photos.

  • A demonstrated commitment to ecological land care.

  • A demonstrated commitment to gardening professionally in Maine.

  • Time and availability for the 60 hours of one-on-one mentoring.

 

Criteria for Mentors

  • A minimum of five years of professional gardening experience, demonstrated through a resume and project photos.

  • A demonstrated commitment to ecological land care.

  • A demonstrated commitment to gardening in Maine.

  • Time and availability for the 60 hours of one-on-one mentoring.

 

Expectations

For Mentor and Mentee:

  • Fulfill the 60 hours of the mentorship.

  • Attend check-in meetings with the 2023 cohort and program staff.

  • Attend the end-of-season gathering in November.

  • Aim to achieve the goals that have been determined by the mentorship pair.
     

For Mentees:

  • Maintain a written and photographic journal of the mentorship, which will be shared with NGBH at the end of the program.

  • Retain and submit receipts for goods purchased with the $500 reimbursement.

  • Spend the $500 within the designated time frame of the mentorship.

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Schedule

  • May 1: Applications open

  • June 1: Deadline for applications

  • June 1-10: Application review & interviews

  • June 15: Mentorship begins

  • July: Cohort check-in with program staff (virtual)

  • September: Cohort check-in with program staff (virtual)

  • November: Submit evaluation form

  • Mid-November: End-of-season gathering (in-person)

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Anahata Foundation.

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