Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

FARMstart Trainees

edge
Lambourn, Berkshire

Posted: 16 Oct 2024

Deadline: 30 Nov 2024

Compensation: Fully funded training

Unpaid Traineeship Apprenticeship Volunteer Part-time

Job description

This is a 4 day course delivered over 4 Saturdays starting in January.

The course designed for those who wish to train as a food grower, switch career or re-train.

We value diversity and welcome applications from those traditionally excluded from work, training or agriculture which includes but isn't limited to: ethnic monorities, women, single parents, NEETs, the queer community, ex-offenders, recovering addicts, those out of work or returning to work, those who recognise that being outside helps their mental health.

We also have a small number of bursary places available to those who may struggle to do so unless funded.   Places will be in high demand and as such, priority will be given to those who aren't in paid work and are local to the site.

Who is it for?  Beginners and Intermediate growers.  Anyone who enjoys growing food and would like to move into it as a career. This course will enable you to set up something on your own and start to earn an income.  This course is not suitable for those who are established growers and have been growing professionally for years.

What we will cover

• The available edible crops for this climate
• The systems within which these crops can be grown
• Soil prep and fertility management
• Organic production
• Integrated pest management
• Fruit, Veg, Flowers, Herbs, Eggs, Honey (Meat and Fish will be discussed)
• Low labour management
• Irrigation
• Packaging, Pricing and Reaching customers

Practical elements - we will be working outside in our Market Garden for at least 50% of our time together, learning as we carry out tasks. You will take part in sowing, planting and maintenance tasks, as well as harvesting, packing and pricing. There will be many plants to taste over the duration of the 4 days.

What’s included - 4 days of teaching, refreshments and a number of handouts and planners to help with the creation of your enterprise. There is also the possibility of access to land following the course, including our mentorship for your enterprise.

What you will leave with - you will receive various handouts on food production planning, and a good understanding of how to make money from growing food, how to do it and where to start.  Our support is also on offer beyond the course.

What you will be able to do afterwards - we would expect you to go away with a firm idea of what you would like to grow, how and where you might grow it and where you can sell it.  You will be able to plan a fruit, veg and herb garden in detail, calculate the income.

Next steps - you will be ready to start your food enterprise journey. We can help you with access to land, tools and further skills.

This course is fully funded to encourage new entrants into growing food.

Places will be in high demand and as such, priority will be given to those who aren't in paid work and are local to the site.

The course runs 10am - 3pm on each day in rural Berkshire - it is possible to reach the site via public transport and lift share, but you may prefer to drive for ease.  We support car sharing.

There are further opportunities following the course, including work experience, mentoring and further learning and networking with other growers.  We have a network of 40+ growers already.

Application information

Apply using this form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgWyAfAk7N3UtGFuSVR1qLmek4uHbamtySOQAfGWoLq-HJOw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Or email grow@edgelandscaping.uk with any questions.

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs