We are delighted to have received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help local schools to enhance their school grounds and to provide a range of activities to deepen children's understanding of sustainability and local heritage, through our Land Heritage in Action programme.

This unique programme provides children with an inspiring and practical opportunity to explore sustainable living and local heritage through memorable, muddy and hands-on activities. It combines a tailor-made day-visit to Magdalen with practical follow-up sessions at schools. In 2007/2008, we helped a wide range of schools to create their own cob pizza ovens, living willow domes and sculptures, raised beds, sensory and recycled gardens. During our outreach sessions we work with children and staff to create unique school grounds features which provide not only a lasting interactive way to explore sustainable food issues, but also aim to bring beauty, colour and interest to school grounds for the whole school community to enjoy.

Discounted visits are still available until Spring 2009, so if you would like to find out more about the programme, or book a visit please contact Tilda Western our Local Schools Outreach Officer on 01460 30144, extension 30 or tilda.

starting September 2008

The Magdalen Project in association with Yeovil College is offering a BTEC National Award in Sustainable Horticulture
This course has a strong emphasis on practical skills which are demonstrated and practiced utilising the wide range of resources on The Magdalen Project’s Soil Association accredited organic Farm
A National Award offers 6 National Units and you will be able to progress to a
National Certificate with 12 Units or a full National Diploma in Horticulture with 18 Units

The units offer are

Sustainable Development
The Principles of Sustainable Development - Resource and Environmental Management - Economics and Society
Methods of Implementing Sustainability

Landscape Ecology
Habitats and Food Webs - Assessing Wildlife Habitats
Selecting Wildlife Plant Species - Practical Tasks for Wildlife Areas

Organic Horticulture
The Principles of Organic Crop Production - Soil Fertility in an Organic System
Organic Growing Methods and Markets - Organic Pest, Disease and Weed Management

Plant and Soil Science
Plant Structures and Functions - Plant Physiology
Plant Growth and Development - Soil Science

Plant Use and Protection
Identify a Range of Plants by Botanic Names - The Abiotic Preferences of Plants - Plan and Design a Plant Area Protection and Maintenance of Planted Sites

Investigative Project in the Horticultural Industry
Research, Plan, Evaluate and Carry Out an Investigative Report of your own choice in the Horticultural Sector

The Course will run for one year on Fridays (10 weeks / term)
starting on the 12th September

from 9.30am - 4.00pm with a half hour lunch break

Total Course Cost is £586.00 which includes the Registration Fee (Instalment plan available)
Course Acceptance is by informal interview

For more details please contact the Course Tutor Rupert Horsey
on 01935 845489 or e-mail rupert.horsey@yeovil.ac.uk

Alternatively come along and discuss the course at one of the Enrolment Events at
The Magdalen Project on

16th July or 2nd September 2008 from 4.30 to 6.30pm

We have teamed up with neighbouring Coombe Farm, a 1500 hectare organic dairy farm to offer free day visits for local schools - that will take pupils on an exciting journey from 'sun to smoothy'.

The day visits combine hands on activities both here at Magdalen and at Coombe Farm - for the full organic sensory experience! Children will be introduced to organic food and farming through a morning of muddy, fun and meaningful activities at Magdalen such as pizza making in our outdoor cob oven, scarecrow making and vegetable gardening. The afternoon visit to Coombe Farm will provide children with a unique opportunity to see for themselves exactly how an organic dairy farm operates, including a tour of the dairy, pedal powered organic smoothy making and of course lots of free samples of Coombe Farm's dairy produce to feast on!

To find out more or to make a booking for 2008/2009 - please contact Tilda Western our local schools outreach officer on 01460 30144, extension 30 or tilda

Our outreach programme has expanded to offer Forest School sessions at your school or at the farm.

Our‘Forest School programmes’ run throughout the year – going to the woods in all weathers (except high winds) – and work with groups of up to 16 children at a time. Participating children have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities which reflect the rhythms and changes of the seasons. All of our activities help to bring the national curriculum to life, through inventive, memorable and meaningful actvities and games that make learning irresistible. Children use full sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.

Forest School has the most impact when undertaken as a long term weekly or fortnightly programme over a term or an academic year, however we can also run shorteer taster sessions if preferred. If you would like to find out more please contact: Tilda Western our local schools outreach officer on 01460 30144, extension 30 or tilda

Magdalen Organic vegetable boxes - delivered weekly to your door.

We deliver to the local area. Boxes are very reasonably priced for a great supply of the freshest of superb organic vegetables.

All profits from the scheme are used in supporting our educational programmes.

We are currently very busy in our gardens preparing for the launch of our 2008 season.

If you are interested in receiving one of these fantastic boxes please call Jill on 01460 30144 or e-mail Jill