A training programme aimed at empowering people interested in community food projects kicks off in the Lancaster district later this month.
The Growing Food and Community series of workshops and training sessions is aimed at people who may have an idea for a community food project, or are already running a community growing space and want to take it to the next level.
The training also focuses on how climate change affects growing conditions and potential access to food in North Lancashire.
The 18 sessions scheduled from July 2026 to March 2027 will cover a wide range of topics related to local food growing, preserving, community governance and natural dyeing.
Experienced local trainers will support the sessions, which will be hosted at Summerhouse Community Farm (the new home of the Plot’s market garden and FarmStart training) and Claver Hill community food project (a six acre site which hosts a range of growing projects), as well as other spots around the district.
Anna Clayton, FoodFutures coordinator, said: “At FoodFutures, we see being able to grow food, preserve and share food at a community level as an important part of building resilience for the future.
“Growing Food & Community began in 2022 as a series of workshops developed by the Plot and ClaverHill community food project, with support from the National Lottery Community Fund, to share ideas and skills with local people interested in community growing and other community food initiatives.
“And thanks to generous local funding, we are able to bring an expansion of this popular series of events back for 2026-2027.”
The sessions include workshops on pest and weed management, harvesting and packaging produce, working with volunteers, fermenting and foraging, understanding soil life and fertility, plants for natural dyes, hedge laying, tool upkeep and maintenance, fruit tree grafting and pruning, hedge laying, plant propagation and lots more.
All of the sessions are listed on the What’s On section on the FoodFutures website and www.foodfutures.org.uk/growing-food-community
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