With reports of food frozen in the ground as The Whistler went to press in the middle of January, there’s never been a better time for self-sufficiency. Everyone’s talking about growing your own veg these days: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on TV, countless articles in newspapers and magazines and the Government’s latest food strategy. There’s a huge renewed interest in growing but many of us lack the skills to get out and do it.

A course in ‘successful composting’ has kicked off a training programme for people interested in growing more of their own food. The courses are organised by Harvest Brighton & Hove, a new city-wide project which aims to get more residents growing their own and eating local food. Other topics to be covered in 2010 include an introduction to organic growing, container growing and how to plan your plot.
The training is focused on providing hands-on experience and practical skills so those who attend can go home and get growing in whatever space they have available. The courses will be delivered by growing experts from local community food projects.

More information,venues and booking for courses is available at http://harvest-bh.org.uk/projects/66-projects/80-training.