Texas Grazing Network Mentee Information

Producers who are interested in applying regenerative practices for the first time or expanding their current operations and would like to receive guidance and training from a fellow producer may apply to the TGN program to receive mentorship from a rancher experienced with regenerative production in the same geographic area. Those accepted into the program will be designated as mentees with the overarching objective of learning how to implement regenerative practices appropriate for their operations’ needs. 

Benefits of Participation 

  • Mentees receive personalized technical assistance from a mentor experienced in using regenerative ranching methods in the same geographic area.  
  • Mentees learn about financial assistance opportunities. 
  • Mentees get access to potential financial incentives. 
  • Mentees are connected to an expansive network of regenerative ranchers.  
  • Mentees get access to subject matter experts and comprehensive resources.  

Mentee Learning Objectives 

  • Understand regenerative grazing principles, and identify and apply practices appropriate for the mentee’s operation.   
  • Understand and identify characteristics common in healthy soils and how to utilize a soil sample analysis to assess soil health.  
  • Assess forage health, estimate available forage, and plan stocking rates based on available or anticipated forage.   
  • Ability to assess animal health and condition in a regenerative ranching operation.   
  • Apply conservation practices that address soil erosion and protection of water resources.   
  • Understand the common technical assistance and financial assistance programs, support organizations, and resource tools available to the mentee.   
  • Understand how to manage family dynamics and create succession plans for family-run ranches.   
  • Understand financial planning and marketing strategies for a regenerative ranching operation.   
  • Create a grazing management plan that utilizes regenerative practices to help achieve the mentee’s ranching goals.  

Requirements to Participate as a Mentee  

  • Mentees must operate in the North Central Texas area (other areas of Texas will be available in the future).  
  • Mentees must be willing to learn from a mentor whose role is to guide the mentee to achieving his or her ranching goals. Mentors will provide observations, advice, recommendations, and instruction on various topics throughout the program.  
  • Mentees should commit up to 24 months of participation in the program with approximately 40 hours of work with a mentor in the first 12 months and 10 hours of work with a mentor in the last 12 months. 
  • Mentees must be willing to have a mentor visit their ranch at least five times for up to four hours per visit.   
  • Mentees will visit the mentor’s ranch once during the first year of mentorship.  
  • Mentees must commit to a once-per-month virtual meeting (or phone) check-in with their mentor to review progress, plans, and address questions and concerns.  
  • Mentees will provide observations and feedback on their experiences to AFT staff. 
  • To foster learning and promote community among the TGN, mentees must be willing to share their knowledge, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in a community of practice.