These questions were adapted from guidelines proposed by a panel of experienced farmers for the New England Small Farm Institute’s on-farm mentoring programs. They are designed to assist aspiring and practicing mentors in a process of candid self-evaluation. Rate yourself on each question on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning you strongly agree and 5 meaning you strongly disagree. A large number of responses rated 4 and 5 suggest that planning for improvement is a good idea.

Farming Knowledge and Skills

•Other farmers often ask me for advice.
•I produce healthy crops and/or healthy animals.
•I have a fertility plan and conduct regular soil tests, etc.
•I participate in on-farm research projects.
•I have improved in one or more important areas over the last year (Make a note of these areas.)
•I have improved in one or more areas over the last five years.
•I keep up with current research relevant to my farm.
•I have access to appropriate technology for the scale/type of my farm operation.
•I am conscientious about maintaining and repairing equipment.
•All in all, I feel confident about my technical farming knowledge and skills.

Farm Management Knowledge and Skills

•I have a business plan.
•I have a whole farm plan.
•I have a marketing plan.
•I am conscientious about keeping good records.
•I am an effective time manager.
•My paperwork and routine jobs are done in a timely fashion.
•I am rarely behind in one or more management areas.
•I am an effective personnel manager.
•The rate of my employee turnover is okay.
•I provide proper employee compensation and adhere to the terms of employee agreements and contracts.
•I provide employees with a clear work schedule.
•I manage my farm business in compliace with state, local, and federal laws and regulations.
•My farm has a good safety record.
•The general appearance of my farm reflects good management.
•I carry necessary insurance in sufficient amounts.
•My farm is achieving annual increases in sales.
•My farm does business based on fair contracts.
•There is good evidence my customers are well satisfied. If, for example, my farm is a CSA, the rate of membership turnover is acceptable.
•My farm serves a diversity of markets.
•I can effectively manage and/or am free from debt.
•All in all, I feel confident about my farm management knowledge and skills.

Additional questions for self-evaluation:

In which areas have I most improved my skills over the past five years? For example, in the areas of: disease prevention and control; scheduling labor; post harvest handling techniques. How have I done this? For example, reading books, asking advice from other farmers, experimental trials. Describe the improvement.

Which aspects of producing my crops are the most challenging for me today?

Which aspects of managing my farm business are the most challenging for me today?

How do I plan to become more adept in these areas?

How do I react when confronted with a problem that is new to me?

Do I always make a plan for the work week that takes weather and other possible interferences into account?

What percentage of the time do I stick to the weekly plan?

Do I often run low on necessary supplies and inputs?

What percentage of the time do I keep up with paperwork?

Do I pay my bills on time, and invoice regularly?

Do I know enough about the following topics to teach them well:
    a. Soil science: fertilizing and amending; making compost.
    b. Plant science: processes, environmental interactions.
    c. Crop production: seeding, transplanting, culture, harvest, post-harvest handling, packing.
    d. Market research and marketing.
    e. Business administration and management (business planning, financial analysis).
    f. Labor management.
    g. Equipment operation, repair, and maintenance.

Adapted from Worksheet #1 in The On-Farm Mentor’s Guide.