Future Growers & Farmers – starting up a food-producing business

Start up or grow a small-scale, food producing business.

Is now the time to get into growing & farming, and start up or growing a small-scale, food producing business? Join this short course to meet others on the journey. Hear from Cordelia Rowlatt, co-founder of Vallis Veg ,and Hannah Steenbergen, founder of Meadowsweet.

The global pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our food supply chains. Demand for local produce has grown as we acknowledge the importance of shortening supply chains and increasing our food security. Climate change will continue to have a huge impact on the production and availability of food. It is essential that we explore options for strengthening the resilience and agility of our local food supply.

This workshop is for individuals and groups who want to make growing food and animal farming into a business. Making growing food and livestock farming on a small scale viable is extremely challenging but essential for building a sustainable future. It doesn’t matter what stage you’re at – whether you’re starting with an idea or are already in the thick of it – every participant will leave with tangible next steps for your ‘growing or farming business’.

Facilitators:

Cordelia Rowlatt. Co-Founder Vallis Veg

Cordelia has years of experience of growing food on a small scale. She runs a small farm in Frome growing fruit and vegetables for sale, keeping a little livestock, managing woodlands and campsite. Cordelia’s businesses and lifestyle have thrived under Covid-19. She is interested in food sovereignty, food politics & sustainable farming, and she enjoys facilitating people to do what they love.
Cordelia will bring copies of her husband, Chris Smaje’s new book, Small Farm Future, which is a political discussion of why small farms are “the most likely way for humanity to see itself through the numerous crises we currently face both in the richer and poorer countries”.

Cordelia and Chris are also embarking on a new growing project that, if you are serious about growing food or plants, might be of interest!

Hannah Steenbergen, Founder of Meadowsweet

In 2020 Hannah started up Meadowsweet, a small-scale regenerative farm together with two friends, approximately 8 miles from Frome. Her mission is to produce healthy and nutrient dense food products using farming methods which regenerate the soil life and ecological biodiversity of the land.

Currently she looks after a herd of rare breed Shetland cattle and a small flock of laying ducks. The cattle are 100% grass-fed meaning they are raised solely on pasture throughout their lives. Through using a special pattern of grazing, called Holistic Planned Grazing or mob grazing, she is working towards transforming the depleted fields into healthy and vibrant grassland ecosystems, aiming to leave the land in a better state for future generations. The high quality nutrient dense beef is sold directly to consumers via the website.
Hannah is looking forward to diversifying the farm to include other livestock enterprises such as laying hens in the future. She will draw on her experience of starting up a farm herself as well as her knowledge and insights about sustainable agriculture.

Johannes Moeller. Co-Founder and M.D. Edventure Frome – A School for Community Enterprise

Johannes will draw on his experience of supporting groups and individuals in setting up community initiatives, social enterprises and small businesses in Frome.

He is a qualified social enterprise advisor & coach and the initiator of “Edventure Start-Up”, a 10-week experiential course where teams start-up a real community enterprise designed to contribute to a strong community, grow meaningful livelihoods and build a sustainable, zero-carbon economy that works for all. Past Edventure Start-Ups include The Welsh Mill Hub, SHARE – A Library of Things, Community Fridge: Frome, Remakery: Frome, Frome Wardrobe Collective, MAKE: Shed Frome.

Somerset Skills & Learning is funding the course for Somerset residents. Sponsored tickets will require you to complete some paperwork before and after the course. Our funding does not cover BANES, Bath and Bristol.

For a full list of eligible towns/postcodes see info@edventurefrome.org. There is a £5 booking fee for funded in-person places.