Since 2017, we’ve been running our highly popular accredited course, the Level 3 Certificate in Community Orcharding (CICO). For the first time, the course has expanded to Wales! This is really exciting, meaning more people can become orchard experts, join the flourishing orchard movement in Wales and become part of a wider network of people supporting urban community orchards.
Through the course, students learn all aspects of orcharding; from theoretical topics such as orchard history, tree identification and plant physiology to hands-on, practical elements including pruning, grafting and tree planting. Students complete the course knowing how to design, implement and maintain a successful community orchard.
“I really enjoyed the CICO course and the people I met. I found the course to be informative, practical and good fun. I especially enjoyed the holistic aspects. I can’t think of anything that would make the course better.” – Former CICO graduate.
Following on from our first blended online course last year, this version of the course in Wales is going to be delivered through a mix of online learning modules and five, in-person practical days (in Swansea). This has proved to be more accessible for people to get involved in the orchard movement, without requiring so much travel.
“A hugely useful and well delivered course, that really opened me to the world of fruit trees.” – Former CICO Student.
This version of the course is now fully booked – to find out more about CICO Wales and join the waitlist, click HERE. If you’d like to learn more about our expansion into Wales and our recent Orchard Summit in Swansea, click here.