Orcharding Management Certificate, Bristol
Thanks for your interest in our Certificate in Community Orcharding! CICO is a unique Level 3 training course, run by The Orchard Project and accredited by Crossfields Institute, that combines high quality online learning with 6 action-packed, face-to-face training days over 11 months. In addition there will be a one day tour of Bristol orchards, giving you a well-rounded learning experience. You will learn from orchard experts, with the flexibility to top up your learning at home with over 100 online resources.
We've been running this training since 2017 and it's been hugely successful, with over 260 students becoming qualified orchardists. We are so excited to offer this course in Bristol to support the thriving orcharding movement in the West and South West.
Please contact the course leader, Witchhazel Wildwood, if you have any queries: witchhazel@theorchardsproject.org.uk
What can I gain from this course?
Many of our CICO students already work or would like to work in the horticultural sector in roles such as rangers, community garden managers or horticultural therapists. Not only will this course give you skills and experience needed to help you progress, but you'll also benefit from being part of our inclusive orcharding network.
“I'm excited that the training days incorporate visits to BPOC led gardens, and I also really appreciate that the pace of the course will allow me to continue working, looking for gardening jobs, and study the online materials for deeper learning.” Naomi
"Taking the [CICO] course helped me out professionally...After finishing the course, I obtained a job as an Estate Worker in a Hertfordshire park...Being able to talk about the course helped me out in the interview." Gora
"I have done some marking for The Orchard Project and also have a client booked in to prune their fruit tree. Found BOTH these opportunities through The Orchard Project." Mirjam
"I'm now a project manager at a Forest Garden and I could not have got this job without my CICO experience." Bethany
"This is the best course I've ever done!" Franki
What to expect
This 11 month course will teach you everything you need to know about planting and maintaining a community orchard, including:
- Site surveys and orchard design
- Tree planting
- Pruning (winter and summer)
- Grafting (spring and summer)
- Biodiversity, pests and diseases
- Soil science & boosting soil biodiversity organically
- Caring for old orchards (including veteran trees)
- Identifying fruit trees and apple varieties
- Managing orchards and the groups caring for them
- ...and more!
- More information here.
Face-to-face elements
You must attend the Induction Zoom plus all seven face-to-face training days (including the Bristol orchard tour) to be able to gain the Certificate. Your practical skills will be assessed on the face to face training days and these take place on Mondays, 9:45-16:00, and are held at various locations across Bristol:
- 1st September 2026 -Induction Tutorial on zoom (evening)
- 28th September 2026 - Bristol Orchards Tour
- 7th December 2026 - Groupwork, winter pruning and tree ID
- 18th January 2027 - Tree planting and land survey
- 1st March 2027 - Spring grafting and soil biodiversity
- 26th April 2027 – Biodiversity, pests and diseases, group decision making
- 24th May 2027 - Summer pruning, tree ID, orchard design
- 28th June 2027 - Trained forms, summer grafting
Online elements
The course platform contains a mix of educational videos, presentations, quizzes and online reading material. You will be assessed on your knowledge via online quizzes (7 assessed quizzes) and 13 pieces of homework - you can expect a couple of pieces of homework a month and will need to allow about 2 hours a week to complete it.
You will be able to access the set group of learning materials on our online learning platform a couple of weeks before the course starts, so you can be prepared for the first induction session. The training platform will be available to you for a year after your course finishes.
In this course we will be covering: Unit 1 - Community Orcharding Essentials; Unit 2 - Community Orchard Practice; and Unit 4 - Designing Resilient Community Orchards. Note Unit 3 - Managing Established Orchards will also be available online to learners. See ‘more about the course content’ for more information on the modules.
Please note it’s similar to doing an A level and you will be assessed on 20 pieces of homework. You will need access to a computer or tablet in order to complete your assignments.
Cost
£1200 (general) - full course & accreditation
£840 (concessionary) - full course & accreditation
£400 (materials only) – access to online learning materials and course book only (2 places)
Concessionary Places: students, retired on low income, receiving benefits or on a low income (under £17,000 per year).
Pay-by-instalments options are available: If you wish to pay-by-instalments please contact Witchhazel prior to booking this ticket. The full cost of the general ticket is £1200 and you need to pay an initial deposit of £320 then set up a standing order for the remaining £880 as follows - 11 x £80 starting on 1st September 26 payable on 1st of each month. For concessionary tickets, you will pay an initial £125 and then £65 for 11 months, starting on 1st September 26
Please contact witchhazel@theorchardproject.org.uk if you have any other queries:
External links for financial support: