Thank you for your interest in mentorship! Your honest answers to the below questions help the Food Systems Leadership Network and the mentors make the best matches possible and, if selected, prepare mentors for your first call. Please be mindful of the word limits in your responses.

Before proceeding with the application, please read through the following information carefully.

Application and Eligibility Requirements
  • Applicants are highly encouraged to spend some time reflecting on why they are seeking mentorship and to include these reflections in their applications.
  • Applicants must complete an organizational capacity assessment as part of their application and upload this with their application. We recommend you complete this with your team, which can take up to 2 hours. You may want to download the assessment first, complete it, and come back to complete this application. Before uploading the file to this application, please name the file in this manner: Last name_First Name_OCAM 2026
  • This opportunity is available to staff of nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, fiscally sponsored projects under a 501(c)3, and mission-driven food and farm businesses, extension staff and public servants who identify as food systems professionals.
  • Applicants and their supporting organizations must both be verified members of the FSLN (sign up your organization here - it’s free!).
  • Food systems leaders from all identities and levels of experience are welcome to apply.
  • Selected applicants must commit to working with their mentor over a 4-month period, attend the kickoff, midway, and closing mentee cohort calls, and complete a brief evaluation at the end of the program.
Additional Info:
The FSLN has a vibrant online community of practice for sharing opportunities and peer-peer connections. Please join the network and create a profile at https://foodsystemsleadershipnetwork.org/! We ask that all mentees join the platform to supplement their mentorship application and experience.

Application Due Date:
This application will remain open through midnight EST on March 8th, 2026.

Application Support:
If you have any questions, let us know at foodsystemsleadershipnetwork@gmail.com

If you do not have the internet access needed to fill out this application, you can submit your application prior to the end of day on Friday, February 20th, 2026 over the phone by calling Jen Dalton at 415-412-8784

T