How this CLA Charitable Trust recipient uses farm experience to support people back into education, employment and training
Agri-cation CIC near Wrexham connects people with food production and builds skills and confidence by welcoming groups onto their farm
For Agri-cation, recipients of the CLA Charitable trust, it all started with a grant for an automated calf feeder in 2017. This Community Interest Company (CIC) uses the machine, which they bought to expand their business, to support people into education, employment or training while connecting them to food production.
Cheryl and Andrew Reeves founded Agri-cation on their calf-rearing and beef finishing farm near Wrexham in 2020. Coming from urban and rural backgrounds respectively, they were determined to use farm experiences to bridge that gap and help people understand farming and food production. Simultaneously, their CIC developed a second goal – draw on farm activities to introduce people who are not in education, employment or training back into these opportunities.
Welcoming people into their farm business is central to the CIC's activities. Agri-cation works with government, councils, schools and organisations to connect with small groups who need support accessing education, employment or training, including pupils who have disengaged from school. Cheryl, Andrew and staff host participants on farm for a day, incorporating them into all aspects of farming life.
Helping out on the farm prepares participants to enter the workplace. Every morning, the groups help feed the cattle, checking the automated calf feeder and recording animal health observations on a whiteboard. As they do so, participants learn how to familiarise themselves with standard operating procedures, build confidence when explaining to their peers and understand the purpose of their tasks as they watch the calves grow.
After Agri-cation, many decide to stay in the agricultural sector. Participants from the scheme have gone on to study Agriculture at the nearby Llysfasi college. Several are now employed on local dairy farms. Others have returned to academic qualifications and re-sat GCSEs in Maths and English.
This time spent on the farm breaks down misconceptions too. Participants learn about sustainable food production – how Cheryl and Andrew feed their cattle brewer's grain from a local brewery to reduce waste and food miles. Interacting with the animals develops an appreciation of the value of food and farming, discouraging food waste.
Spending time on farm also helps support participants' wellbeing. Working in nature and amongst animals, talking with others while getting tasks done, and sharing meals next to a wood fire can bring people together or calm them down when they need it. Even if the farm is unfamiliar at first, Cheryl and Andrew and the staff welcome each group with a smile each week to try and make people feel at home.
The CLA Charitable Trust grant will help Agri-cation expand their work. Using the funds, they will employ a fourth member of staff specifically to support neurodivergent children with additional needs. Last year, Agri-cation welcomed over 1,000 people to the farm, and in future, even more participants are set to benefit from their work.
