An inspiring vision for farming. Sebastian Parsons discusses community ownership of his family farm and the Biodynamic Land Trust
16th May 2017
Programme and full details for Step – by – Step Biodynamic Gardening Workshops: Fairhill Rise, East Lothian 2025
20th August 2021
Venue: Upper Grange, Lovedays Mead, Stroud GL5 1XB
Session dates 2025: 22 Feb; 22 Mar; 26 Apr; 17 May; 14 June; 12 July
Programme outline
Sessions – Seed connects with Soil
Session 2 – Planning our garden
Session 3 – The Plant between the Sun and Earth
Session 4 – The Biodynamic Preparations
Session 5 – Tending the garden
Session 6 – The garden as an organism
Course Tutors: Rosie Aitken and Jason Warland
About Rosie My joy for gardening started when I was 16 and worked on a market garden on the west coast of Ireland. I went on to study for a degree in horticulture at the Scottish Rural University in Edinburgh. After I graduated, I did a two and a half year apprenticeship in market gardening at Abbey Home Farm in Cirencester. In the last few years, I’ve worked on a number of farms growing organic vegetables and have run my own ornamental gardening business. Currently I work at Ruskin Mill where I manage the Field Centre garden and Upper Grange where our course is held.
About Jason
I am a horticulture and beekeeping tutor at Ruskin Mill College, working with students through Practical Skills Therapeutic Education. My interest in gardening and farming began in 2017 when I left an office-based job to volunteer on farms in Switzerland and Italy. I eventually settled in a small village in Sardinia, where I worked in olive groves and cultivated vegetables under biodynamic guidance. Upon returning to the UK, I undertook a two-year biodynamic apprenticeship at Ruskin Mill. Over the last four years, I have been writing about biodynamics on my blog, which has garnered attention from people around the world. Currently, I am pursuing an MA in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education at Ruskin Mill, further deepening my understanding of biodynamic ecology.
For more about Ruskin Mill Educational Trust click here
Directions to the venue: Upper Grange, Lovedays Mead, Stroud, GL5 1XB
Upper Grange is located close to Stroud town centre and a 10-minute walk from the train station.
The postcode will take you to West Grange Court which is just across the road from Upper Grange, this is not where you should go! Upper Grange is the last property on the right before Lovedays Mead turns into a smaller lane. There are big wooden gates (which are always left open) and an “Upper Grange” sign on the left gate