Meet the Mentors

Get to know the mentors of the First-Generation Farmer Mentorship program!

Click on the profiles below to learn more about each mentor. Each profile includes color-coded labels that highlight their specialties and areas of expertise, helping you find the mentorship experience that best fits your goals.

You can also explore where each mentor farm is located across Michigan by viewing the interactive map.

Lori Hernandez

Lori Hernandez

Three Acre Farm | Byron Center, MI

Flowers
Meet Lori →
Gabriel Francisco

Gabriel Francisco

Thunderfoot Farms | Paw Paw, MI

Livestock
Poultry
Meet Gabriel →
Patti Travoli

Patti Travoli

Heartwood Forest Farm | Cedar, MI

Herbs
Meet Patti →
Malaika Whitney

Malaika Whitney

Whitney Farmstead | Ann Arbor, MI

Livestock
Poultry
Maple Syrup
Meet Malaika →
Shannon Brines

Shannon Brines

Brines Farm | Webster Township, Washtenaw County, MI

Meet Shannon →
Whitney Belprez

Whitney Belprez

Two Sparrows Farm & Dairy | Eaton Rapids, MI

Livestock
Dairy
Meet Whitney →
Trent Thompson

Trent Thompson

Of the Land | Battle Creek, MI

Mixed Vegetables
Agritourism
Meet Trent →
Susan Sharp

Susan Sharp

Open Sky Farm | Pellston, MI

Flowers
Meet Susan →
Janie Case Beuthin

Janie Case Beuthin

Twig End Farm | Flint, MI

Flowers
Meet Janie →
Rebecca Titus

Rebecca Titus

Titus Farms | Leslie, MI

Mixed Vegetables
Small Fruits
Flowers
Meet Rebecca →