Making Growing/Farming into a 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/or 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’.

The workshop combines the expertise from people who have made it work, people who have experience of incubating & growing start-ups, and from yourself. Everyone makes the day, and as participants, you will be invited to contribute your own experiences and ideas. Bring your ideas or challenges if you want to get some input or feedback from the group.

This course is organised by Edventure Frome CIC, in partnership with Vallis Veg, Meadowsweet, Frome Town Council and Somerset Skills & Learning.

Ticket Price:

This event is funded for residents of the county of Somerset of all ages. There is a £5.00 booking fee. Please, #nomorenoshows. Our funding does not cover BANES, Bath, and Bristol. For a full list of eligible towns/postcodes click here. Booking is essential. We will ask you to complete some paperwork and feedback forms.

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 that 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 11-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.

Covid-19 Safety Policies and Procedures:

We are taking safety very seriously. As the situation evolves, so will our approach. At the current time…

Venue: We will be at Frome Town Hall with support from Frome Town Council. Risk assessments will be performed and strictly adhered to.

Participant Responsibilities: We all have a critical role to play in keeping each other safe. We will email you an update before the course outlining what precautions we all need to take. Please be prepared to bring your own face-covering and wear it throughout, and to self-certify on arrival that you do not have symptoms, have not been diagnosed with, or had direct contact with a known or suspected COVID-19 case in the past 14 days.

Cancellations:

The booking fee is non-refundable. If you need to cancel and let us know at least 3 days prior to the event we will be happy to transfer your booking to another of our short courses. Please support us by cancelling ASAP if you can no longer come – Edventure Short Courses are always fully booked and often waitlisted, and if we end up with an empty seat in the room it impacts our ability to meet our funding requirements.

Please note:

We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By registering for this event or joining the waitlist, your email will be added to Edventure Frome CIC’s mailing list, which you can unsubscribe from any time. We handle and process all personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 . For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Feedback from past Edventure Short Courses:

“…It was run brilliantly and really well attended. As always there was a great mix of people of all ages, backgrounds and reasons for being there. The courses are always well-run, really interesting and accessible. I’m always amazed by the quality and experience of the teachers. I’m doing three courses at the moment – all brilliant”.

Anna

“Just spent 2 days learning what they do, why they do it and how they are inspiring other communities to take up the challenge too. Such fantastic course design, people skills and imagination! Engaging young adults, helping inspire entrepreneurship, building community! What’s not to love?!”

Ella

“Really inspiring, reinforcing and positive. Great presentation with pace and focus and enough humour to entertain too. Still thinking about it all and will keep doing so for a long time. Thanks for a lovely and helpful course!”

Zainab

“Really interesting and rewarding morning. Will be looking out for other courses and the Hub space is amazing”.

Jane

“A breath of fresh air. The facilitator was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and action orientated but with plenty of interest in the needs and expectations of the group. A very motivating and worthwhile few hours!”

Peter

“Loved it…gave me so much clarity on how to be more strategic! ”

Milda

“A truly supportive, inspiring & creative environment..!”

Frances