Mentoring, what’s it all about?

Over the last ten years I’ve had three experiences with mentoring, orchestrated by different farming focussed organisations. All with the same purpose but delivered in slightly different ways.

Firstly through The Henry Plumb Foundation. After finishing as NFYFC chairman in 2013 I wanted to continue my passion of communicating the supply chain from field to fork and put together an application to fund a project called ‘Adding value to rare breed pig meat’.

Being married to a farmer but not originally from a farming background, I wanted to have my chance to rear my own livestock, follow the whole process through until finishing and then market the meat via a meatbox scheme as well as promoting the whole supply chain. In addition learn about what added value products could be created through smoking and curing.

As part of the Foundation’s aims and objectives, recipients of grant funding also have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor to help provide guidance, support and experience in the chosen sector, to help succeed in the project or study.

After successfully applying and attending a ‘pig in a day course’ and a ‘smoking and curing course’ at the School of Artisan Food I was ready to purchase my own pigs and get my hands dirty!

So the Foundation matched with industry expert, Cumbrian farmer and entrepreneur John Geldard whose family business has developed into a successful farm shop (Plumgarths), an egg laying business, beef production and much more. 

Having the opportunity to go behind the scenes of John’s enterprises was invaluable. His wise words, his friendship and trusted guidance, it all really helps. Doors and introductions have been made, and 10 years on we are still firm friends who keep in touch and updated one another with what’s been happening in the world. 

My next exposure of mentoring came in 2015/16 when I was a part of the Tesco Future Farmers Foundation A year long course, spread out over 2-day sessions helping with business development, team building, strategy planning and behind the scenes of food processing businesses across the country.

As part of the outcomes from the programme, we were matched with industry experts who complimented our skill sets. I was matched with Norfolk based Communications guru Susie Emmett at Green Shoots.

 

Susie helped me with my early days video production learning, to navigate my way through a new job role after I got married, and tackle a few work related challenges along the way. I remember she even cold-called the office I was working in at the time to test the water and see if we were delivering what we said we were, then give me some constructive advice and feedback - golden!

More recently, I signed up to the Women in Food and Agriculture initiative instigated by Agri Briefing and supported by AllTech as one of the industry partners. At this point in time of registering my industry I was self employed and my business was really taking off. I wanted to help find support to strike a better work/life balance with raising a young family and the juggling that being a Farmers wife brings.

Boy I was so fortunate to be matched with Clare Fahey, Global Brand and Strategic Projects Manager at AllTech. Whilst Clare is based in Ireland, we’ve had 9 teams calls over the last year or so to help me navigate my way through rapid business and personal growth. Clare has been a confidential sounding board, a mother of young children and a farmers wife like me and can relate to the challenges I’ve been facing and put some boundaries in place so I don’t feel so overwhelmed. She has also made some introductions for me with Aileen Baron of Green Acre Marketing . Aileen has followed a similar journey, with her business taking off whilst having young children and a farm. She’s built up a successful team to help manage her growing Agri marketing business and was open to sharing some insight of the do’s and don’ts.

Clare and I plan to meet up next year. She’s nominated me for a Women in Technology Award and whilst it would be incredible to be recognised in a non- ag arena for the award, I can’t wait to share a glass of wine with her as we’ve built up a firm friendship. She fights my corner and cheers me on. I often need that confidence boost when working on my own.

So watch this space as my mentoring journey continues. One day I’d like to put the boot on the other foot and mentor someone. Give back and share some of my experiences, open a few doors, make friendships, be that listening ear.

Who knows what the future holds… but mentoring provides you with some many things, it’s often difficult to write everything down in one blog post and express what it’s all about. I hope I’ve done it justice!

A huge thank you to John, Susie and Clare for all their help, guidance and support