Short Courses
Join us throughout the year on a range of short courses. From introducing you to niche subjects to deep-dives in agroecolocial farming practices
The Apricot Centre offer informal and accredited courses in regenerative farming, mental health and wellbeing.
All of our accredited courses are Ofqual registered.
Neurodiversity & wellbeing in farming and land-based industries
Date: Friday 11th December 2026
Details: A practical, in-person interactive workshop relevant to the particular challenges of working in land-based work. Leave with a greater understanding of yourself and others, along with realistic, practical strategies you can use in your everyday lives and working environments.
There will be opportunities for peer discussion around experiences, alongside practical activities such as sensory mapping, recognising individual stress responses and exploring simple body-based regulation techniques.
For funding purposes, residents of South Hams & West Devon will be prioritised for this workshop. If you live outside of these areas and are interested in attending, please email admin.support@apricotcentre.co.uk and we will be in touch to confirm your attendance dependent on availability.
Permaculture Design Certificate 2027 weekend course
Dates: 13 February - 18 July 2027 (every second weekend)
Details: The Apricot Centre Permaculture Design Course is a part-time, non-residential course delivered over 6 weekends making it perfect for those wishing to study whilst working or who have other commitments. Delivered at Huxhams Cross Farm which has organic and biodynamic status; the farm is a demonstration permaculture site and a rare example of farm-scale permaculture in action. This enables us to show practical examples of permaculture on-site as well as visiting other permaculture designed sites in South Devon.
Using creative and practical teaching methods you will develop and experience the principles and practices of permaculture design, with emphasis on guiding you to design in groups and individually with support from your tutors. This structure equips you with the skills to go on to design and implement your own larger farms, smallholding, community gardens, or even your back garden.
Regen Womenfolk Workshop “Land Goddesses”
Dates: 30-31st Jan 2027 and 27-28th Feb 2027
Details: Hello Women in regenerative agriculture, come along for a few days together with other women in regen who ‘get it’. These days have been sculpted in response to what other women in regen have requested. We will focus on positive creative solutions and a celebration of all that we do, while creating a safe space to discuss and acknowledge some of the challenges we face. Over the 2 weekends we will focus on…
Leadership skills - confidence, telling our stories, dealing with challenging conversations etc.
Communication skills through social media and other platforms.
How to find our power within our own natural cycles and diverse brains
Farming whilst caring for kin, and farming solo
The two weekends will allow for plenty of opportunity to connect with other fabulous women on the land, share our wisdoms and our concerns. You will be fed and have fun, whilst enjoying the company of some pretty awesome other women. I’m looking forward to seeing you there, Hannah Thorogood.
For residents of South Hams & West Devon this is a FREE course. Booking open to all, but participants from South Hams and West Devon have to be prioritised for funding requirements. Please do not book a free/ local resident ticket if you live outside of these areas.
Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture
Dates: 2027 dates TBC
Details: A foundation in regenerative agriculture, with weekly classroom lectures on topics including soil health and sustainable soil management, alternative markets, climate-adaptive food production and the consequences of industrial farming practices, among others. Sessions will also include a review of regenerative and agroecological farming practices across the UK and internationally and the sociopolitical contexts in which they are adopted and innovated.
Classroom lectures and discussions will be supplemented by three field trips to local regenerative farms. Field trips will be held on Saturdays and include personalised tours & hands-on field activities, such as digging soil pits or planting / pruning trees. Classroom sessions will take place in the evenings, once a week for 2 hours, and may be attended either online or in-person.
For residents of South Hams & West Devon this is a FREE course. Email admin.support@apricotcentre.co.uk to book your place if you live within these areas, or click the link below if you live outside of the catchment.
Holding the Rains - water in the farming landscape
Dates: 21st - 23rd January 2027
Details: Exploring both the bigger picture and on-the-ground solutions to help restore water cycles and manage water shortage and abundance on farms
With teaching happening at the Apricot Centre farm and including a field trip to a local farm to learn about the different ways the owners there are engaging with, harnessing, and managing water for their needs. This course is for anyone looking to understand more about water and how we work with it in increasingly unpredictable weather and its extremes.
For residents of South Hams & West Devon this is a FREE course. Booking open to all, but participants from South Hams and West Devon have to be prioritised for funding requirements. Please do not book a free/ local resident ticket if you live outside of these areas.
Introduction to Holistic Livestock Management Techniques
Dates: Four Fridays - Jan 29th, Feb 5th, 12th, 19th 2027
Details: 4-day course on holistic livestock management techniques hosted on 4 different farms to look at different system setups.
A solid grounding and introduction to Holistic Livestock Management and working with livestock in general, looking at animal behaviour and welfare, input analysis, nutrition, different breeds, handling of meat and dairy, certifications, and even farming through the seasons and different landscapes.
For residents of South Hams & West Devon this is a FREE course. Booking open to all, but participants from South Hams and West Devon have to be prioritised for funding requirements. Please do not book a free/ local resident ticket if you live outside of these areas.
Supporting mental health in agriculture
Date: Friday 15th January 2027
Details: A one-day workshop for professionals working alongside farmers.
This supportive and practical workshop is designed for professionals who work alongside farmers and farming families. This might include vets, agronomists, hauliers, farming advisers, business consultants and others who regularly come into contact with people working in agriculture.
The day aims to build understanding, confidence and practical skills to help you recognise when a farmer may be struggling with their mental health, approach difficult conversations, offer appropriate support and look after your own wellbeing.
The emphasis throughout the day is on connection, conversation and compassion – not becoming a counsellor or mental health expert, but remaining alongside those you are working with.
For funding purposes, residents of South Hams & West Devon will be prioritised for this workshop. If you live outside of these areas and are interested in attending, please email admin.support@apricotcentre.co.uk and we will be in touch to confirm your attendance dependent on availability.
Farming and mental wellbeing
Date: Saturday 6th February 2027
Details: This one-day workshop is designed for farmers, farm workers and family members and spouses
Farming can be incredibly rewarding, but it also brings unique pressures and challenges. This workshop aims to provide a space for honest and open discussion about those challenges, and their impact on farmers, farms and families.
The workshop is facilitated by Sharon May who is part of a fourth generation farm family and a qualified counsellor. She brings a mix of her professional and personal experience to provide relatable and practical advice about how to look after wellbeing, have difficult conversations, and support others.
For funding purposes, residents of South Hams & West Devon will be prioritised for this workshop. If you live outside of these areas and are interested in attending, please email admin.support@apricotcentre.co.uk and we will be in touch to confirm your attendance dependent on availability.
Establishing a Small-Scale Market Garden (¼ Acre Model)
Dates: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of November 2026
Details: This four-day introduction covers the practical, technical, and commercial foundations of establishing a small-scale market garden. Bringing together ecological production systems, infrastructure planning, business viability, and marketing strategy.
Whether you're a new entrant to market gardening, a smallholder or land-based entrepreneur exploring sustainable pathways, a hospitality grower or chef-developing a farm-to-table enterprise, or part of a community growing project or CSA initiative, this course is designed to support your journey. We’re also welcoming those keen to develop regenerative horticulture enterprises grounded in practical skills and ecological principles.
For residents of South Hams & West Devon this is a FREE course. Booking open to all, but participants from South Hams and West Devon have to be prioritised for funding requirements. Please do not book a free/ local resident ticket if you live outside of these areas