Grants

Landscape Regeneration

Regenerative School, Year 3

£20,000 awarded

Project Dates: 14.12.23 to 14.12.24

A beacon centre of regenerative excellence that is training the next generation of regenerative farmers – to increase regenerative farming practices in Devon & beyond!

Regenerative Agriculture brings many benefits to farmers, their communities, and their local environment. As the cost of fossil fuels and fertilisers skyrocket, and the challenges of droughts and flash-flooding become regular occurrences, regenerative practices provide farmers with effective tools to adapt and thrive.

DEF has supported this project right from the start: funding the feasibility study, the certification of the qualification, the start-up costs, and contributing towards the first two years of training.

This grant for year 3 fills a small funding gap to enable them to deliver the whole Level 3 training course in 2024, and allows them to work with some placement farms outside of South Hams and West Devon.

During 2024, the Apricot Centre will be exploring becoming a College to help secure the future financial viability of this vital training.

We are so excited to be able to support this project for another year!

See mini impact update with images HERE.

See the Regenerative School in our video series, The Nature Restorers, HERE.

Photo credits: Images courtesy of the Apricot Centre.

IMPACT SUMMARY JANUARY 2025

  • In 2024, 22 students enrolled on the Apricot Centre’s courses, with two leaving, but 40% of the cohort already having secured jobs in the generative sector, and several others are pursuing further studies.
  • DEF support assisted with the securing of funding from philanthropic organisations for both Level 3 and Level 4 courses, ensuring the continuation and growth of these vital programs.
  • The Apricot Centre have had the opportunity to showcase their course offerings at key events such as the Oxford Real Farming Conference and various workshops, further raising the profile of their training.
  • The Apricot Centre are also now offering additional training to students, including a Certificate in Business Planning and Regenerative Design, further broadening the skills and opportunities available to them.
  • The Apricot Centre is working with the government on a white paper for education and curriculum to include farming, sustainability and food.
  • The Centre continues to work with other institutions across the UK to implement courses similar to the Apricot Centres.