We are excited to launch our pilot training in Grain Seed Production. Click here to apply by 1 July 2026.
This newly launched course is designed to give participants the skills and confidence to take rare grains from seed into wider production, while gaining a deeper understanding of the politics of grain sovereignty in the UK.
If you are a grower, farmer, baker and/or grain enthusiast wanting to grow diverse grains on a small to medium scale, we would love to hear from you. We will focus on the skills and knowledge needed to grow rare grains for seed.
Online evening sessions will run from September 2026 to September 2027. Initially, these will be held fortnightly – the second and fourth Monday of the month during sowing season – moving to monthly from November onwards.
Sessions will cover a range of related topics and will be taught by a variety of practitioners in the UK diverse grains movement, including Robyn Minogue (South West Grain Network), Chris Maughan (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience), Lisa Housten (Lauriston Farm) and Fred Price (Gothelney Farm).
In addition to online learning, participants will grow three small-scale grain seed crops* as part of the course. These crops will be grown for learning purposes, with participants recording their experience through a seed journal.
*We will grow two ‘heritage’ / ‘diverse’ wheat crops and one modern-bred wheat. Each crop will be grown in 10m x 1m strips. The suggested sowing times for the selected crops is September 2026, so participants should have an idea of where they will sow before they apply and should prepare the area ahead of the first session if their application is accepted (more information on ground prep will be sent to you once you are accepted on the course).
There will also be an opportunity to take part in a study trip in summer 2027, looking at grain seed production in the fields. Participants will be responsible for their own travel arrangements.
We welcome you to join our first-ever cohort to trial and review this brand-new training programme!
Online sessions will take place from 18:00 – 19:30 on Monday evenings on the following dates:
Attendance at a minimum of 80% of online sessions is required. A ‘pass’ is determined by submission of an acceptable seed journal that evidences learning and attendance in excess of the minimum.
Additional in-person visits will be decided with your cohort and coordinator. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a study trip in summer 2027.
Before you apply, please check that you are aware of and can satisfy the following:
*This is a pilot, and our vision of who the trainees are isn’t completely formed. We welcome a diversity of applicants and applications, even if you are unsure you meet the prerequisites completely. If you feel that these requirements are currently out of reach, we would still like to support you in your learning journey. Please contact seedsovereignty@gaianet.org to discuss alternative options.
For the 2026/7 pilot, we can accept 20 participants onto the course. To take part, please fill out this online form.
Please note that completion of this application form does not constitute an offer of a place. All applications will be reviewed by the Seed Sovereignty team, who may wish to contact you for further information. The application deadline to apply for this pilot training programme is 1 July. You can expect to hear if your application is successful by 1 August.
Places on the 2026/7 pilot course are available for £200, with half-price subsidised tickets (£100) and full bursaries offered to those who may find these fees a barrier to their attendance. Course fees contribute towards session delivery, speaker remuneration, and the strengthening of this training and the wider grain sovereignty movement.
Successful applicants will receive details with ticket purchasing information by 1 August 2026.
We look forward to receiving your applications!
