Our 2024 Seed Mentorship program paired 4 mentors with 5 mentees across BC. With one mentorship pair on the mainland, the other 3 involved growers in the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island. We were especially grateful for funding from the Victoria Foundation that helped support our mentorship program with so many participants from the CRD.

At first glance, the mentorship program seems humble, with only a few people involved. However, the ripple effects of these mentorships are always far-reaching. The depth of the exchange between mentors and mentees is explained by a participant:

I believe this program is one of a few that exist that truly progress small-scale farming in British Columbia. What you can learn through peer to peer experiences far surpasses what you learn in books or online. As farmers we are only given one season at a time to make mistakes, have successes, conduct experiments and so forth. With peer to peer teaching, you’re given the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences.

Engaging seasoned seed growers with young farmers allows a depth and richness we only see in intergenerational connections. One participant commented:

“I’m over 70 now and won’t be able to do this forever, it is reassuring knowing that there are younger people taking this on. I learned so much from my mentees; we will continue to be a wonderful addition to each other’s lives.”

Many mentees go on to become important seed producers in their communities.

“I’m so grateful for this program and my mentor. It accelerated my seed growing knowledge and gave me the confidence to formally launch my business. The mentorship model of learning is proven and powerful. The relationships I’ve established during this program are invaluable, and I’m sure they will help me succeed.”

We hope to continue this program into the future as it makes a deep impact on those who are involved, and in turn, participants spread the seed knowledge and learning throughout their communities.