LIBERTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCE Sullivan) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Beginner Farmer Mentorship Program, a year-long farmer-to-farmer mentorship opportunity designed to help beginning farmers build successful farm businesses through personalized guidance, technical assistance, education, and networking opportunities. Applications open on October 6 and will be accepted through November 3.

The Beginner Farmer Mentorship Program supports individuals who are ready to take the next step toward starting or strengthening a farm business in the Catskills Mid-Hudson Region. Participants are paired with experienced farmer mentors and receive individualized support based on their unique farm business goals. Throughout the 12-month program, mentees work directly with mentors through on-farm visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, and hands-on learning experiences.

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, participants engage in educational workshops, farm business training, farmer networking mixers, cohort learning sessions, and technical assistance from CCE Sullivan staff. The program focuses on key areas of farm business development including strategic planning, marketing, financial management, land access, agricultural production, food safety, and business growth.

The 2027 cohort will accept up to 20 mentees and is offered at no cost to participants. Accepted mentees who successfully meet program requirements throughout the year are eligible to receive a $10,000 stipend, distributed over the course of the mentorship program.

"We recognize that beginning farmers face many challenges as they establish their operations," said Melinda Meddaugh, CCE Sullivan Ag & Food Systems Senior Issue Leader. "This program connects participants with experienced mentors and a strong support network while providing practical education, technical assistance, and resources that can help farmers move their businesses forward."

The program is open to individuals who:

• Have a clear vision for the farm business they want to build
• Have access to land through ownership, rental, or lease arrangements
• Possess at least two years of farming experience
• Plan to farm within the Catskills Mid-Hudson Region
• Preference will be given to applicants located in Sullivan County, though eligible applicants from Sullivan, Orange, Ulster, and Delaware counties are encouraged to apply. Supported farm enterprises include vegetable, fruit, flower, herb, livestock, maple, honey, cheese, fiber, hydroponic, and aquaponic operations.

The mentorship program launches in December 2026 and runs through December 2027. During the program year, participants will engage in a minimum of 50 hours of one-on-one mentoring with an experienced farmer mentor. They will also participate in five cohort learning sessions, farmer networking mixers, at least 15 hours of educational workshops and trainings, and farm business and food safety training webinars. Throughout the program, CCE Sullivan staff will provide individualized farm visits and technical assistance. Together, these experiences provide participants with the knowledge, skills, resources, and professional connections needed to strengthen and grow their farm businesses.

CCE Sullivan is also seeking experienced farmers interested in serving as mentors for the 2027 program. Mentors provide guidance, share real-world farming experiences, help mentees navigate challenges, and support them in reaching their farm business goals through one-on-one interactions, farm visits, phone calls, and virtual meetings.

Participating mentors are compensated for their time for approved mentoring activities. Mentor participation offers an opportunity to support the next generation of farmers while strengthening the regional agricultural community through knowledge sharing and professional connections.

Individuals interested in applying as a mentee or serving as a mentor can learn more and access the application online at:www.sullivancce.org/agriculture/mentorship-program. For additional information, contact Beginner Farmer Educator Jamila McKinnon at 845-292-6180 ext. 101 or email beginnerfarmer@cornell.edu.