May-Nov 2023
Remote (Distance learning via online platforms)
Learn all the skills you need to design, create and manage a forest garden through our six month accredited online course, featuring the videos of Martin Crawford, author of several books on forest gardening and director of the Agroforestry Research Trust.
You will learn from videos, handouts, interactive quizzes and online assessments plus regular group tutorials, leading you to qualify for a Level 2 Award in Forest Gardening. This course is accredited by the Crossfields Institute.
We’ve been running our Award in Forest Gardening course since 2021, this is the fourth iteration and will be known as AFG4.Some of our students have moved onto careers in horticulture or food-growing or are now working for organisations in the environmental sector (including The Orchard Project!). They have also enjoyed meeting other like-minded food growers and enjoyed becoming part of our informal network.
“I loved the course. I just remembering thinking oh my goodness, I think I want to do this forever.”
“I very much enjoyed the forest gardening course and feel that I learned a lot which I can use both in my work and also in my personal surroundings”
“I have found all the course materials very informative and useful”
“This is such an inspiring and fascinating course, I can thoroughly recommend it.”
Live tutorials
To support the online materials you’ll have 7 monthly ‘live’ tutorials, where you’ll have access to friendly tutors and hear from expert guest presenters. We highly recommend attending the tutorials ‘live’ as this is your opportunity to ask questions, and discuss all things forest gardens with your fellow students.
Tutorials take place on Tuesdays, 19.00 – 20.30, and are held on Zoom.
Project Manager Elsa Little and Training Co-ordinator Sarah Mason will be hosting the tutorials and in addition are pleased to confirm the following guest presenters;
- Pippa Chapman forest gardener, permaculture designer and author of ‘The plant lover’s backyard forest garden’ will be sharing her experience of creating forest gardens in small spaces.
- Lewis McNeill is the Orchard Project’s most longstanding orchardist. Lewis has a passion for ecology and will be teaching about soil.
- Witchhazel Wildwood, part of The Orchard Project’s Welsh team, an experienced permaculture designer and educator and founder of Coeden Fach Community Tree Nursery will share best practices for site surveying.
- Teresa Pereira, Ecological Designer and Educator will be sharing her favourite forest garden trees and perennials.
- Jo Homan, our own expert forest gardener. She started up Edible Landscapes London in 2009 and is now setting up Edible Eastbrook, an experimental and hopefully commercial forest garden based on Helen Browning’s organic farm near Swindon. Jo will share her knowledge on designing a forest garden.
- Fergus Walker, part of The Orchard Project’s Scottish team, has a background in design, he will be answering questions and providing feedback in a student Design Q & A session.
- Rakesh ‘Rootsman Rak’ Permaculture design teacher, forest garden specialist and Reggae DJ will share his wealth of experience on practical forest gardening, from design to harvest.
Tutorial dates
- Tue 23rd May – Urban Forest Gardens – Pippa Chapman
- Tues 13th June – Soil – Lewis McNeill
- Tues 11th July – Site Surveys – Witchhazel Wildwood
- Tues 5th September – Trees and Perennials – Teresa Pereira
- Tues 3rd October – Design – Jo Homan
- Tues 24th October – Student Design Q&A’s – Fergus Walker
- Tues 14th November – Forest Gardens –Rakesh ‘Rootsman Rak’
All students MUST attend the introductory Zoom meeting covering course structure and accreditation:
- Tue 16th May, 19:00-20:30 – Introductory Zoom
Forest Garden Site Visits
We are delighted to include a day of site visits which will take place in Manchester. This is your opportunity to experience forest gardens/permaculture projects in person. Whilst this day is optional we’d highly recommend attending as it’s a chance to meet your fellow students and gain inspiration for your own project.
- Sat 22nd July, 10.00-16.00 – Birchfields Park followed by The Gaskell Garden Project
Cost
- £695 (general x 17) – full course & accreditation (payment by instalments available)
- SOLD OUT £495 (concessionary x 5) – full course & accreditation (payment by instalments available)
- £495 (unaccredited x 2) – full course without accreditation (payment by instalments available)
Concessionary Places: For those who are unemployed, economically inactive or on low income (below £20,000 p.a.).
Pay-by-instalments: If you wish to pay-by-instalments please contact Elsa@theorchardproject.org.uk prior to booking this ticket to gain the access code. The full cost of the course is £695, you need to pay an initial deposit of £155 then set up a monthly standing order for £108 starting on 1st May and ending on 1st September (£108 x 5). For concessionary and unaccredited tickets, you will pay an initial £100 and then £79 for 5 months.
Please contact Elsa@theorchardproject.org.uk if you have any other queries