The local food partnerships in Bridgend, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan are collaborating on a project to scale-up a year-long, place-based food literacy programme developed by Slade Farm’s Fieldwork Studio CIC. This project will run from September 2026 – June 2027.
The project will seek to build capacity amongst local growers across the counties to host educational food literacy visits on their farms/growing sites, targeting local community groups including schools, youth groups, food pantry groups and more. As part of this, the project will offer:
- A mentoring programme delivered by the lead farming partner to learn the basics of hosting educational food literacy visits.
- Where necessary, capital investment in infrastructure to facilitate visits (subject to planning permission).
Participating growers will work alongside experienced practitioners, shadow educational visits, develop their own learning offer and contribute to a regional community of practice. The programme will also generate guidance and resources that can support future grower engagement with schools.
We are now inviting applications from local growers and farmers who would like to participate in the project.
Participating growers will work alongside experienced practitioners, shadow educational visits, develop their own learning offer and contribute to a regional community of practice. The programme will also generate guidance and resources that can support future grower engagement with schools.
We are now inviting applications from local growers and farmers who would like to participate in the project. Please read the below criteria and fill out the form by 31st August 2026 to express your interest in participating.
A maximum of 10 local growers will be selected according to the criteria outlined below, based on your answers.
What participating growers will receive
Successful applicants will receive:
- Mentoring from an experienced farming and food literacy team
- Opportunities to observe and learn from established educational visits.
- Support to develop confidence in hosting school visits.
- Participation in a regional Community of Practice with fellow growers
- Practical guidance covering educational delivery, safeguarding, inclusion, risk management and working with schools.
- Networking opportunities with local schools and food partnerships.
- Access to practical resources developed through the project.
- A contribution towards agreed outdoor learning infrastructure to help prepare your site for educational visits (subject to project criteria and available budget).
Who can apply?
We welcome expressions of interest from new and existing growers and farmers based in Bridgend, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan who:
- Can demonstrate that they produce food using sustainable or agroecological principles (including certified organic, in conversion, or those demonstrating equivalent approaches) or show intention to shift to such production methods.
- are interested in engaging children and young people with food, farming and nature
- are willing to participate throughout the mentoring programme
- have a suitable site where educational visits could take place (or the potential to develop one)
- are open to learning, sharing experiences and working collaboratively with other growers
- Are willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check, which we will cover the costs of.
- Be available to attend a total of 2 observation days at Slade Farm across 2026/2027, and accommodate up to a further 3 days one-to-one support.
Previous experience of working with schools is not required.
Capital funding
A modest capital grant will be available for successful participants to improve their site’s readiness for educational activities.
Examples may include:
- handwashing facilities
- boot washing facilities
- outdoor seating or shelter
- children’s waterproof clothing or PPE
- interpretation materials or signage
- other agreed educational infrastructure
As this funding forms part of a time-limited grant programme:
- all expenditure must be approved in advance
- purchases must comply with project and procurement requirements, and demonstrate that all necessary consents, permissions or licences are in place.
- all items must be purchased and installed within the project timescales (December 2026)
- funding cannot be used for general farm improvements unrelated to educational delivery
- not every request can be funded, and funding will be allocated according to project need and available budget
- Due to tight delivery deadlines, we will not be able to fund any facilities requiring planning permission
Further guidance will be provided to successful applicants.
A small revenue stipend of £250 will be offered to cover your costs of attending the mentoring sessions, but beyond this, the local food partnerships cannot guarantee that further revenue will be made available following the pilot.
Selection process
Places are limited, so applications will be assessed against:
- Diversity of farm types, scales of production and experience levels
- interest in developing educational opportunities as part of their business
- commitment to participating throughout the programme and openness to peer learning
- enthusiasm for educational engagement
- readiness to host educational activities
- potential to benefit from mentoring
- contribution to a balanced regional cohort.
Please fill out the form by 31st August 2026 to express your interest in participating.