Mentors

The mentorship program for future livestock farmers is a training and support program designed to help people to plan, launch, and expand grass-based farm businesses in Southwest Wisconsin. The program builds on existing mentorship programs in the region by providing access to land in Southwest Wisconsin through the Southwest Badger Grazing Broker. The program specifically targets the following counties: Crawford, Dane, Iowa, Grant, Green, Lafayette, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon; however, farmers from adjacent areas are encouraged to apply.

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Program information and application form:

Who should apply?
The program is designed to take careers in grass-based agriculture to the next level. We aim to help everyone find an appropriate mentorship and get started raising livestock, regardless of experience level.  We also support an attitude of life-long learning.

​​Ideal mentors for this program include:
  • Livestock producers with more than ten years of experience
  • Farmers with more than ten years of experience with livestock
  • Landowners who approach farming from a conservation perspective
  • People with livestock experience but who own neither land nor livestock

What can I expect?
Through the mentorship program you will:
  • Share your knowledge and skills with the next generation of farmers
  • Learn how to be a better teacher
  • Learn how to be a better steward of the land
  • Be compensated up to $1800 for your time commitment ($15/hour for 3 hours/week for 41 weeks)
  • Access opportunities for land, livestock, and equipment use and/or rental
  • Learn state-of-the-art grazing management practices being used on real farms under a variety of conditions

The components:
Training: all participants receive training on how to get the most out of the mentorship and are invited to workshops on contract grazing, grazing management, soil health, and more.

Mentorship: all participants receive matchmaking services to connect you with a beginning livestock farmer interested in your field of expertise. Mentors are paid for their time and receive compensation based on the satisfaction of the beginner.

Access to land: all participants receive matchmaking and technical services from the Southwest Badger Grazing Broker to connect livestock producers and grassland landowners.

Financial coaching: all participants can attend business planning sessions. Beginning farmers are eligible for a free business plan review from Badgerland Financial or the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

How to apply:

  1. ​An application form is required for all beginning farmer and mentor participants. The applications are available online or by request from robert.bauer@swbadger.org.  Applications are accepted by email (preferred) or hard copy. Contact Robert  Bauer with questions or to review if the program is right for you by email or telephone at 314.662.3281.
  2. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.