Grow Leader Course - Spring 2025

Develop an understanding of fundamental growing techniques and holistic landscape management that will prepare you to grow food at allotment, community garden or small market garden scale.

Delivered over 8 weeks, this course leads candidates through seven taught sessions plus a final day of student-lead practical demonstrations and workshops.

The course is delivered at Grow Wilder, Bristol, to small groups with a maximum of 15 candidates, with time split between the classroom and around site.

The focus of this course is largely horticultural, incorporating aspects of ecology, community engagement, well-being and project realisation. Candidates on the Grow Leader course will be taught by a range of tutors who are experienced practitioners in their field and passionate about agroecological food growing and landscape management.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

• Gain experience with lots of tools and techniques that can be directly applied to land based projects
• Increase skills and understanding in organic food growing, wildlife conservation and ecological land management
• Feel able to take the lead in planning and delivering practical activities with a wide range of target groups with different needs
• Gain the tools to become an effective and engaging facilitator
• Increase confidence in larger scale garden planning and ecological land management

COURSE CONTENT:

• Ecology for food growers
• Soil health and management
• Planning your vegetable production
• Water systems and plant health
• Food & seed sovereignty
• Therapeutic horticulture
• Volunteer management & project realisation

COURSE AUDIENCE

The course is structured to engage a range of levels, with each week introducing fundamental aspects of ecological food growing and land management. You will be provided with a wealth of signposting & guidance for you to deep dive into the topics that most capture your imagination.

This course is for:

• People interested in starting a new wildlife gardening or food growing project

• People looking for an inspirational career change

• People looking to further their skillset on a recreational basis

• People interested in community-based projects

• People who volunteer for existing community food projects looking to progress by demonstrating practical management techniques, facilitator skills and self-reflective learning

COURSE DATES:

This course will run on a Friday. The dates are as follows:

28th February

7th March

14th March

21st March

28th March

4th April

11th April*

25th April*

Please note that Friday 11th April is an half-term date for some schools - the session will run as normal. There will be no session on Fri 18th (Good Friday). Friday 25th is the final session including microteach assessment.

Candidates are expected to attend a minimum of 6 sessions, including the final micro-teach assessment, to successfully complete this course.

COURSE COSTS:

The 2025 course costs £545. If you would like to support others in accessing this course, a Pay It Forward ticket can be purchased for £650.

There is ONE discounted space per course costing £300 for participants who can demonstrate that they are living on a low income (under £15,000 pa). This must be agreed before the course begins.

A non-refundable 25% deposit of £136.25, £162.50 or £75.00 respectively, will be required to reserve your place on the course.

The balance will be due on or before 28th January 2025.

Host or Publisher Avon Wildlife Trust