The Agroecology Learning Collective: On-Farm Training Event

As the UK agroecology movement grows, so does the question of how we build, share and recognise skills on the land. This day brings together farmers, growers, trainers and educators from across the sector to explore the practicalities of delivering training - from informal and certificated learning through to accredited qualifications and apprenticeships.

We'll be launching A Guide to On-Farm Agroecological Training, a new report co-produced by OrganicLea, The Landworkers' Alliance and The Agroecology Learning Collective, exploring the different models available to farms wanting to offer certificated training, accredited qualifications, work placements and apprenticeships. Alongside the launch, we'll share the latest on TALC's developing Agroecology Academy, funding routes, and emerging apprenticeship standards.

This event will be especially useful for farms and sites offering training, or those considering setting up training, but is open to anyone in the wider agroecology network - trainers, mentors, funders, and those simply curious about how the sector's training landscape is evolving.

Draft Programme - the final details are still being confirmed

Opening Session: Launch of "A Guide to On-Farm Agroecological Training", Clare Joy / Ru Litherland (OrganicLea), Rachel Phillips (Apricot Centre)

TALC, alongside Organic Lea, the Apricot Centre and the LWA, have been working on a new report, outlining On Farm Training Options that should offer up to date information about the kinds of options that are available to farms, communities and land workers in setting up and accessing agroecological training. Speakers will walk through the different models available to farms wanting to offer certificated training, accredited qualifications, work placements, and apprenticeships - setting the scene for the day ahead.

Morning Breakout 1: TALC's Agroecology Academy: What's Next?, Robyn Minogue (TALC), Rachel Phillips (Apricot Centre), Steph Wetherell (Bristol Food Producers)

Robyn, Rachel & Steph share the latest on TALC's developing Academy - where it's headed, what's been learned so far, and how farms and trainers can get involved as it grows, and what we can learn from experiences of subsites

Morning Breakout 2: Pathways to Agroecological Training, Jo Kamal (Pathways to Land), Danielle Ahmet (OrganicLea), other speakers TBC

A session exploring the systemic barriers, shaping who gets to train and farm in the first place, and what TALC and others can do to open up pathways into the sector. How can we as farms and trainers better support access to training for all?

Afternoon Breakout 1: Apprenticeships & the Trailblazer Route, Kate Collyns (TALC), Rachel Phillips (Apricot Centre)

Kate and Rachel give an overview of the apprenticeship landscape, progress on TALC's Skills England case, and early plans for the trailblazer apprenticeship, as well as other exciting opportunities for funding agroecological training (e.g. bursaries, Skills Bootcamps funding, the apprenticeship levy). Workshop element: gathering interest, preferred delivery models, and content priorities from the room.

Afternoon Breakout 2: New & emerging Accredited Training , Belinda Bell (GroundsSchool), other speakers TBC

This session will begin with short introductions form a few new and emerging farms and sites offering accredited training - how they got set up, what's working, and challenges. It will then largely be a discussion with break out groups for participants to connect and learn more from/with one another.

Closing Session: Concluding the day and getting more involved in TALC's Work, Samson Hart (TALC)

We will close the day, hearing back from break out sessions about what we missed, sharing about the future of TALC's structure and how to get more involved in collectively organising through our working groups.

Timings

You will need to arrive at 10:30am for an 11am prompt start. We will finish the day by 5pm. There will be tea and coffee and lunch provided. 

About the venue

We will be based at OrganicLea, a workers cooperative growing food and offering training course on the edge of London. You can find directions and information on public transport on the OrganicLea website here. 

Accessibility

The site is accessible by car and there is free parking in front of the main building. The barn, classroom and glasshouse are step-free. There is an accessible compost toilet by the main building and there is an indoor gender-neutral large accessible toilet with a portable ramp.

Cost

The event is free with a donation for refreshments and lunch if you are a position to contribute (suggested donation of £10).

Travel bursary

We acknowledge this is a long way for some people to travel, so have a travel bursary pot to help cover costs if this is prohibitive for you. There is no strict criteria for this, but it is limited in size and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please email hello@agroecologylearning.org.uk if you would like to apply for a bursary.

We especially want to welcome those who face financial or other barriers to attending training and networking spaces within the agroecology movement/sector, and to make sure this event is genuinely accessible. Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to chat about this.