This course is for people with an interest in creating a community orchard, in sustainable and local food production and learning about the benefits of community growing action. Not just an introduction of how to establish and maintain community orchards, we’ll take you on a journey visiting different locations to show what can be done locally and why community food production is important for our future food supply.

This course is run in partnership with the Green Valleys CIC. This Community Interest Company was set up in 2009 by community members in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Communities wanted to act on climate change, reducing carbon emissions and improving their local environment. The Green Valleys grew to provide support, guidance and advice, acting as a catalyst and accelerator for community led action.

This course pairs well with our Apples for All course where you’ll learn hands-on grafting skills to propagate and share your fruit stock with others.

What will I do and learn?

• Listen to stories from people who have set-up and managed community orchards
• Discover why local growing is revolutionary
• Visit three community orchard sites in and around Talgarth
• Understand how communities and individuals can raise support and funding for community orchards
• Learn about heritage apple varieties and other fruit trees

Who will I learn from?

Jed Needs

Jed is a tutor on our Coppicing and Greenwood trades NVQ. He is also chair of the Talgarth Community Woodland Group and a director of The Green Valleys CIC.

Gareth Ellis

Gareth is a founding Director of The Green Valleys CIC and has supported community groups in establishing and managing orchards in a variety of locations across South Wales.

Key Information

Date: Saturday 14th May 2022 from 10am – 2pm

Location: In and around Talgarth. We will meet at Talgarth Car Park (LD3 0PG) at 10am.

What you need: This course doesn’t include lunch. You should wear suitable, weather-dependent clothing and boots as you may get muddy!

Please bring a water bottle and a packed lunch for a picnic. Tea and coffee facilities available free of charge.

How much does it cost?

We have a limited number of free tickets available for Powys residents, with thanks to the UK Community Renewal Fund.

We would like our short courses to be available to all regardless of ability to pay. We, therefore, ask you to pay what you can towards this event. We have some tickets available at a lower rate of £10, and some available at a higher rate of £50. If you will struggle to purchase a ticket, please get in touch with us at info@blackmountainscollege.uk.

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Accessibility

This course is rated as 1 (most accessible) on our scale of accessibility. Read more about our accessibility policy and T&C’s on our Eventbrite.