Students from Treviglas Academy have been learning horticulture skills with the Newquay Orchard team at Fentenfenna Farm in Ruthvoes, near St Columb Major.
So far students have learn from Rosie and Ellie the importance of using tools safely, how to make vegetable beds using the Charles Dowding no-dig method and work as a team to plant the first produce in the Newquay Orchard Community Supported Agriculture scheme based at Fentenfenna Farm.
Jenny Rogers, Young Person Change Coach at Newquay Orchard also spends time with them at the farm. She thinks the skills that students are gaining will be beneficial in their future careers. She said: “Learning these transferable skills will give the students great experience for their CV’s and their next steps in life. Being in fresh air, on a farm, with friends is a wonderful way to spend time outside of the classroom too.”
“Horticulture is an important part of Cornish history and our local economy today. It’s good for these students to gain an appreciation of what goes into the produce they eat at home,” she added.
The students from Treviglas Academy are enjoying their time at Fentenfenna Farm where they spend one day per week learning. They write up what they did following their activities at the farm and quotes have included:
“I learnt that helping the natural environment and plants can make a difference to places.”
“Most enjoyed moment was working efficiently with my friends Kieran and Stan getting the work done using teamwork and physical activity to complete the task in hand.”
“I enjoyed doing all of the work we did, but my favourite thing was digging up the mulch as I felt I was more focused and more calm.”
The students have also been learning about what it takes to run a Community Supported Agriculture scheme in the Newquay Orchard Market Garden CSA. This is where growers are supported by their local community to produce vegetables in a circular economy that is good for people and the planet. Creating local jobs and reducing food miles are two major positives from projects like this.
The work skills development programme is run as part of the Skills Your Way and Compass, European Social Funded Projects. These projects are in partnership with Careers South West, Cornwall Council and The Learning Partnership Cornwall.
There’s an opportunity beginning Friday 4 March for people aged 15 – 24 who are out of education or employment to see learn similar skills at Fentenfenna Farm. Ask your work coach at Newquay Job Centre for more information or email info@nqyorchard.pixolomew.design to find out more!