Applications are now closed
Herb Growing Training Programme 2022
We are very excited to be running a Herb Growing Training Programme starting in April 2022.
Consisting of both practical and theoretical sessions, this is a great opportunity for someone who wants to learn about and gain experience in organic gardening and herb cultivation. Topics covered include Soil and Growing Media; Plant propagation and cultivation; Organic gardening and beyond; and Harvesting and storing herbs.
Who this training programme is for
We recognise that the growing and gardening industry does not reflect or represent the population of the UK, and more specifically of Hackney. We also recognise that there are structural, institutional and economic barriers to reaching and gaining the education and training needed to work in this sector.
With this in mind, this training programme is for:
Black People and People of Colour (BPOC): While recognising that this is a small step, we believe that prioritising BPOC for this programme is a step in the direction of working towards a more equitable and representative industry, that genuinely provides opportunities for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender, background, age, education and experience. This is not an exhaustive list but some examples of BPOC are:
People of African descent
People of Asian descent (east, south-east, south or central)
First Nations peoples & Pacific Islander people
Latinx & racialised South and Central Americans
Arab & other Middle Eastern & North African ethnic groups
Multiracial & mixed race peoples
People who lack financial privilege: We acknowledge that not everyone is able to dedicate time to learning new skills while juggling other responsibilities. We seek to disrupt and renew the systems in place that prevent opportunities like this being open to all, by providing economic support in an industry where unpaid time, volunteering and self-funded education is the norm. With this in mind, there is a bursary available to those taking part in the training programme. We will prioritise those with less financial resources who have faced financial barriers in accessing education and training.
Hackney residents: As we are a social enterprise rooted within our local community this training programme is only open to residents of London Borough of Hackney and residents of Hackney Wick.
Adults 18 years old and above
We encourage applications from people who haven’t had formal or informal training nor volunteered in a gardening or growing project before. We also encourage applications from folks who at present are underrepresented within the gardening and growing world including (but not limited to) queer, trans and gender non-conforming folks. We also welcome applications from those whose first language is not English, newcomers to London and those with irregular immigration status themselves or within their families.
Structure
The programme is for a small group of five trainees.
It will run from April to September, on Sundays at the Hackney Herbal garden in Hackney Wick and at our studio on Well Street. Our garden is wheelchair accessible and has an indoor toilet on the ground floor on-site. Our studio is located on the second floor of the building and there is a lift. Practical sessions in the garden will take place no matter the weather, so a willingness to spend time outdoors in all types of weather is essential.
Most sessions will take place in the morning from 10:00 to 13:00, and there will be two full-day sessions. We will have three weeks off - one on Easter, one in June and one in August.
There will also be additional monthly sessions with guest speakers online over zoom and we will be sharing resources for independent study outside those hours.
Each trainee will receive £1000 as a bursary to support them in attending the programme. This will be delivered in 3 instalments in April, June and August.
This Training Programme has been supported by the RHS Flourish Fund.
Applications are now closed