Location - Talgarth (Troed-yr-Harn Farm & other farms nearby)
Tuition Time - 3 days per week WITHOUT work-placement OR 5 days per week WITH work-placement.
Course Length - 1 year from January to December
Minimum Age - 16 years (no maximum age)
Entry Requirements - No formal grades required, but you should be comfortable working at A-Level standard and be able to use IT, including Microsoft Office for report writing and creating presentations. Work placements require students to drive and have access to a car.
Kit Requirements - Warm waterproof clothing and shoes for working outdoors, and a pair of wellies.
--------------------------------------
COURSE INTRODUCTION
A year-long traineeship in Regenerative Farming & Agroecology with land-based learning to help students transition into, or upgrade their skills in, the world of regenerative farming at Black Mountains College (BMC), in the Bannau Brycheiniog in Wales.
The world of farming and food production is changing. The challenges of climate change and fluctuating economic environments ask farmers to diversify for resilience. Agroecology is a strategy that could help us with these challenges. Informed by traditional global practices, agroecology explores the use of natural systems to promote good food for everyone, forever.
This course is ideal for students who want to further their experience in agroecology, agroforestry, soil science, and social and economic elements of regenerative approaches to land management and agriculture.
You will study in real-life training settings, within the Black Mountains on the border of Wales and England. Alongside your studies, you will undertake an optional work-based placement to enhance your employability skills and embed your learning. Gain a real and authentic experience about what it is to be a grower, livestock farmer or woodland manager. Learning from an experienced person on the land will give you confidence and valuable practical skills.
In partnership with NPTC Group of Colleges, certified by City & Guilds. We are a part of TALC (The Agroecology Learning Collective).
-------------------------------------
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The aim of this course is to train the next generation of farmers and growers in regenerative farming systems, this will aid farms and woodlands to support biodiversity whilst still producing local food and other products.
Our traineeship offers an authentic opportunity on a working farm, market garden or managed woodland and includes the following:
- Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture
- Soil and Plant Ecology
- Business Planning and Financial Forecasting
- Agroforestry
- Work experience is integrated across the year for all students (0.5 days per week)
- An optional year-long farm placement is offered for those who would like additional work-based training (an additional 2 days per week). A placement is guaranteed for those who would like it.
and more!
-------------------------------------
WHY STUDY REGENERATIVE FARMING & AGROECOLOGY?
The traineeship will prepare you to:
- Work in regenerative farming or small-holding type settings;
- Work in community supported agriculture or the circular food economy;
- Work in regenerative land-based systems;
- Progress into higher education courses such as our BA (Hons) in Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change.
All of our course tutors have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, and you will be further supported by our partnerships with the Real Farming Trust and the Apricot Centre.
-------------------------------------
WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS
We have partnered with a wide variety of local farms, where your optional work experience will take place for an additional 2-days per week. These may include:
Troed yr Harn, Talgarth (Black Mountains College)
Ciliau Farm, Erwood
Lower Genffordd, Talgarth
Fern Verrow, Herefordshire
Hill Farm, Powys
FARMERS’ Welsh Lavender, Builth Wells
Llwynberried, Llanigon
Moor Park Garden, Crickhowell
New House Farm, Monmouth
Penpont Organic Farm, Brecon
Ty Mawr, Brecon
Wye Organic, Ross on Wye
Greenfields Farm, Cusop
100% Hay @ Glanwye Farm
The integrated work-placement is optional, however if you require accommodation this is only available within a placement. Not all of the placements include accommodation - our website will detail the placements from April 2025 so you are able to make decisions.
All trainees on placement are eligible for reimbursement of training related expenses (food, transport, accommodation) at £75 per week. Note that the cost of providing accommodation can be deducted from this amount.
This is a great opportunity to gain further practical, real-life training in an authentic environment whilst earning some money.
-------------------------------------
Applications for a January 2026 start are now open! Apply early via our website to secure your spot. You will need to complete a short interview with our friendly team.