Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

This is a FARMstart training programme delivered over 6 Saturdays starting in February, running until June. 

Days 1 & 2 are a free introduction open to everyone.

Each day will run 10am - 3pm.

Feb 7, Feb 21, Mar 21, Apr 25, May 23, Jun 13

The first two days are fully funded, with no obligation to attend the remaining days, however subsidised places and workshares are possible.

The course is designed for those who wish to train as a food grower, switch career or re-train, and opens the door to further training & learning opportunities with us and our wider network.

We value diversity and welcome applications from those traditionally excluded from work, training or agriculture which includes but isn't limited to: people from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, single parents, NEETs, the queer community, ex-offenders, recovering addicts, those out of work or returning to work, those who recognise that being outside helps their mental health.

Places will be in high demand and as such, priority will be given to those who are local to the site for continued learning and access to land.

Who is it for?  Beginners and Intermediate growers.  Anyone who wants to grow food as a career, in a paid grower role, or commercially on your own piece of land or market garden. This course will enable you to begin the journey of setting something up on your own and earning an income.

*This course is not for people who wish to grow at home - we have a separate set of courses for relevant learning.*

What we will cover

• The available edible crops for this climate
• The systems within which these crops can be grown
• Soil prep and fertility management
• Organic production
• Integrated pest management
• Fruit, Veg, Flowers, Herbs, Nuts, Eggs, Honey (Meat and Fish will be discussed)
• Low labour management
• Irrigation
• Packaging, Pricing and Reaching customers
• Compliance and legalities
• Financial viability of crops

Practical elements - we will be working outside in our Market Garden for at least 70% of our time together, learning as we carry out tasks. You will take part in sowing, planting and maintenance tasks, as well as harvesting, packing and pricing. There will be many plants to taste over the duration of the course.

What’s included - 2 days of teaching, refreshments and access to our growing site to help with the creation of your enterprise. There is also the possibility of access to land following the course, including our mentorship for your enterprise.

What you will leave with - you will receive good introductory knowledge of a market garden, food production planning, and a good understanding of how to make money from growing food, how to do it and where to start.  Our support is also on offer beyond the course.

What you will be able to do afterwards - we would expect you to go away with some ideas of potential crops, how and where you might grow it and where you can sell it.  You will be able to plan a fruit, veg and herb garden in detail, and the space needed for these crops.

Next steps - you will be ready to start your food enterprise journey. We can help you with access to land, plants, tools and further skills.  There are follow on courses after completion of this one and we offer a matching service between projects and growers.

These days are funded to encourage new entrants into food growing as a career.

Places will be in high demand and as such, priority will be given to those who are local to the site and able to take on land with us.

The course runs 10am - 3pm on each day in rural Berkshire - it is possible to reach the site via public transport and lift share, but you may prefer to drive for ease.  We support car sharing, but cannot guarantee this wil be possible. (Hungerford, Didcot Parkway & Newbury have train stations and connections nearby) 

There are further opportunities following the course, including work experience, mentoring and further learning and networking with other growers.  We have a network of 60+ growers already.

Application information

Apply using this form or email grow@edgelandscaping.uk with any questions.

*Due to high volume of applicants, priority will be given to those local to the site, and therefore the course may fill before the closing date*

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs