Mentorship Program
Applications due: March 1, 2026
For more information, contact Rachel Emus at gardens@ngbh.org
The Native Gardens of Blue Hill Mentorship Program supports 60 hours of personalized, one-on-one mentoring between an experienced professional and an emerging professional. The program is designed for new land care professionals committed to working in Maine. Its goals are to support emerging professionals, strengthen the local community of skilled horticultural experts, and foster a collaborative network of ecological land care practitioners.
In 2026, one mentor-mentee pair will be selected for this immersive program.
Mentees seek out their own mentors, and the pair is expected to apply together. Mentors act as guides, supporting professional development, information sharing, networking, personal growth, and career advancement. The mentorship helps new professionals navigate the challenges and complexities of starting their careers while offering professionals at any stage the opportunity to gain fresh insights, refine their goals, and advance their work and career paths.
Benefits include:
• $2,000 for the mentor, in recognition of their time and expertise
• $500 for the mentee, to be used for classes, workshops, tools, equipment, books, and supplies that support professional growth.
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.
To learn more, review the Mentorship Handbook.
“It is an extremely supportive way to build professional skills. It's a one-of-a-kind program, and I have felt very lucky to partake in it. I highly recommend it."
- 2023 Participant
Caitlin Kelty-Huber of Flora Maine
Objectives
-
Provide emerging 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 within the Maine horticulture community
Applicant Criteria
-
A demonstrated commitment to ecological land care
-
A demonstrated commitment to working professionally in Maine
-
Time and availability to complete 60 hours of one-on-one mentoring
-
Mentors must have at least five years of professional horticultural experience; mentees should have a minimum of one year of relevant experience or training.
Program Structure
The 60 hours of one-on-one guidance and support must be completed by December 31, 2026. These hours can be structured to best meet the needs of both participants and may include a mix of hands-on activities, field trips, instruction, job shadowing, meetings, phone or video calls, and email communication.
The mentor-mentee pair will determine the structure of their mentorship and outline how the mentee will achieve their goals through this plan. While the 60 hours must be completed within the 2026 calendar year, the schedule and format are flexible. Some pairs may choose to meet for a few hours each week over several months, while others may opt for a more intensive, short-term schedule.
NGBH will schedule several check-ins with the mentorship pairs throughout the season. These check-ins provide opportunities to share progress, challenges, and feedback with NGBH staff.
Program Support
For more information, review the Mentorship Handbook.
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.