This toolkit is designed to introduce apprenticeship training programs to the topics and frameworks that mentors have identified as challenges and that are important for mentors to address to offer a successful learning experience for their trainees. While agricultural mentors are likely experts in their field with many years of experience running an agricultural business, they still benefit from improving their skills and capacities as mentors,

The University of Maine - Cooperative Extension, funded through a Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Farm Coaching Project, created The Ladder of Inference to show how we convert observations into our beliefs and actions, and can be used in instances of conflict resolution and communication to separate the objective from the subjective.

This document, developed by Julie Sullivan, founding mentor of the Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program, provides examples and suggestions to help orient new apprentices to the farm and/or program. This includes adjusting to a new place and schedule, and advice on how to approach the work while providing your personal goals and perspective. This outline helps to set expectations and understanding between mentor and apprentice while getting settled in.

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Candidate Tipsheet provides mentor candidates with tips for what to include in their profile, and factors to consider when looking for apprentices. This includes what information should be shared and how to make an interesting profile for apprentice applications.

Helping our Masters be good trainers and mentors. From Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA)

Webinar recording: This online event launched the Ag Apprenticeship Toolkit and offered a briefing on the power of networks by Andrew Crosson of Rural Support Partners. This event included a tour of the Ag Apprenticeship Toolkit, the capstone resource from Year 1 of the National Ag Apprenticeship Learning Network, and detailed how participation in networks can strengthen local, regional and national food systems work.

A Guide to Developing or Improving an Ag Apprenticeship Training Program on Your Farm or Ranch
This toolkit was developed by the Ag Apprenticeship Learning Network, including New Entry and the following partners: Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Rogue Farm Corps, Quivira Coalition, Vilicus Farms

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