With the upcoming growing season quickly approaching, the Kentucky AgVets program partners will be matching the first round of veteran participants with mentor farmers. Mentorships will be designed to provide hands-on training and develop a network for veterans looking to start their career in agriculture. Mentorships will start out at 9 months long and can be extended as needed if mentor and veteran participant agree.

Mentor Farmer Expectations

• Have a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in the current enterprise;

• Host veteran participant on farm or agribusiness at least once during program;

• Initiate monthly communication via phone, in-person or via email;

• Serve as a resource for production and business questions; and

• Connect veteran participants with appropriate resources (working with KCARD).

Veteran Participant Expectations

• Interested in starting a career in agriculture or learning about a new agriculture enterprise;

• Access to a personal vehicle to visit host farm or agribusiness at least once;

• Communicate with mentor at least monthly by phone, email or in-person; and

• Complete a business plan and financials projections for the agribusiness the participant would like to pursue.

Are you interested in serving as a mentor or have an interest in participating in the program as a veteran? Please let us know by reaching out to Kellie Padgett at kpadgett@kcard.info or (270) 883-0052. You can also sign up for our Kentucky AgVets newsletter at https://www.kcard.info/kentucky-agvets.