North Lancashire Horticultural Training Scheme applications now being accepted

The Plot and FoodFutures, North Lancashire's sustainable food place initiative, have opened applications for the 2023 FarmStart training program. The award-winning team is looking for a group of committed, enthusiastic and local trainee FarmStarters to join them at their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) market garden at Old Holly Farm (near Garstang) and Polytunnel in Whitelund (Morecambe) for a full-growing season of hands-on training in 2023.

This 40-week program is aimed at people who live in North Lancashire and would like to play an active role in setting up new food-growing enterprises around North Lancashire.

Succesful applicants will spend two days a week working with an experienced grower and be given a dedicated training and mentoring program covering both the horticultural skills and business skills needed to set up and run a small-scale market garden.

The FarmStart model aims to combat some of the challenges involved with entering the food system as a new grower. The program is looking to find local people who want to help strengthen the food system and start growing more fresh produce with the help of the volunteer trainee program.

For those interested in signing up for the scheme, the program asks applicants to come and visit the farm, and do a couple of hours on-site in advance of making an application. You are able to register for these sessions here: https://forms.gle/7SowaC4ZoG5YXUwG9.

The deadline for applications is midnight, 27 November 2022 and interviews will take place on 2 December 2022.