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Mentorship Program
April 1, 2024 deadline for priority consideration
For more information, contact Rachel Emus at gardens@ngbh.org
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The Native Gardens of Blue Hill Mentorship Program is designed for new land care professionals committed to working 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 is expected to apply together. During the Mentorship, 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 land care professional. If you wish to apply but don’t have a Mentor or Mentee in mind, please reach out to us. We may be able to recommend a contact.

Objectives

  • Provide beginning horticultural professionals with relevant, hands-on educational experiences.

  • Promote and facilitate ecological horticulture as a viable career path.

  • Increase the pool of skilled and knowledgeable horticultural professionals in Maine.

  • Build a committed and collaborative network of ecological land care professionals.​

  • Honor the skills and experience of established horticultural professionals.

  • Develop and promote peer learning in the Maine horticulture community.

 

Applicant Criteria

  • A demonstrated commitment to ecological land care.

  • A demonstrated commitment to working professionally in Maine.

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

  • A minimum of five years of professional horticultural experience for Mentors, and a minimum of one year of relevant experience and/or training for Mentees.

 

Expectations

  • Fulfill the 60 hours of the Mentorship.

  • Attend check-in meetings with NGBH staff.

  • Aim to achieve the goals outlined in the application. 

  • Complete evaluation forms at the end of the Mentorship.

  • In addition, Mentees will: 

    • maintain a written and photographic journal of the Mentorship, which will be shared with NGBH at the end of the program (see details below).

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

    • track expenditures as they occur using the Google Sheet provided by NGBH.

    • spend the $500 within the designated timeframe of the Mentorship.

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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, meetings, phone or video conversations, and emails. The pair determines which structure works best for them and demonstrates 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 over the course of several months, 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. The check-ins serve as an opportunity for Mentorship pairs to share progress, challenges, and feedback with NGBH staff. 

 

Mentees are expected to maintain a written and photographic journal of the Mentorship that can be shared with NGBH. This allows NGBH to follow the progress of the Mentorship, and will serve as a valuable record for Mentees to reference after completing the program. Mentees decide which format works best for them, and NGBH is available to provide technical assistance.

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Program Support

Questions and concerns can be directed to Rachel Emus, NGBH Garden Manager, at gardens@ngbh.org.

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

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