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Become a mentee

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Get support on your organic journey

Mentees in Kernel get personalized support to transition to organic and become USDA Organic certified. Mentees work one-on-one with their mentor to overcome challenges, learn best practices, and achieve their goals. Kernel intentionally matches mentors and mentees based on areas of expertise and geographical location to ensure compatibility.

Producers must have at least two years of farming experience and have access to land before beginning mentorship. Handlers must have access to a facility or equipment for handling or processing before beginning mentorship.

Mentee applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply now
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Mentee responsibilities

Kernel mentee activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Participating in ~40 hours of mentorship annually

  • Completing training and onboarding in MentorPRO

  • Providing mentorship updates in MentorPRO

  • Participating in brief program evaluations

  • Responding to your mentor in a timely manner

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Mentee benefits

Kernel mentee benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Free guidance from experts on organic production and certification, customized to your individual needs and goals

  • Access to educational resources and webinars

  • Connections with a community of organic producers and handlers

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Taking mentorship to the next level with MentorPRO

We partnered with MentorPRO to design an online mentorship platform specifically for Kernel participants. This platform is a key element of our program to streamline communication, optimize the mentorship experience, and provide helpful resources.

Mentors and mentees in Kernel can access MentorPRO anytime anywhere, on their mobile phone as an app or on their computer as a website.

Features of our MentorPRO platform include:

  • Private messaging between mentors, mentees, and groups

  • An organic resource hub

  • Announcements and event tracking

  • Check-ins to support progress

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes. If you were a mentee/transitioning operation in TOPP and would like to continue receiving mentorship through Kernel, you will need to submit a Kernel mentee application. The application takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

  • Yes. Mentor-mentee pairs from TOPP are welcome to continue their mentorship through Kernel if both participants would like to do so. Former TOPP mentors and mentees can indicate this on the Kernel application.

  • Kernel builds on the success of TOPP, but it is a distinct program with a different structure and approach. By all accounts, TOPP was a highly successful $100 million USDA program (see this 2024 Impact Report). Because funding for Kernel is less than 5% of TOPP, we have chosen to focus solely on mentorship.

    Some of the key differences include:

    • TOPP was a USDA program, while Kernel is an initiative of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University.

    • While TOPP supported a range of activities, Kernel is specifically designed to carry forward and strengthen its mentorship component.

    • Kernel uses the MentorPRO online platform to facilitate communication, provide resources, support regular check-ins, and enhance the mentorship experience.

    • Kernel does not provide funding for events hosted by other organizations, such as organic field days and workshops. Instead, the program focuses its resources on high-quality mentorship and participant support.

  • No. In-person visits are encouraged but not required.