Diversification nod for Agri-cation CIC in Bangor-on-Dee

Agri-cation CIC, in Bangor-on-Dee, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Diversification (Small/Medium) of the Year, for the British Farming Awards 2024.

Founded by Cheryl Reeves, Agri-cation CIC's mission is to educate and engage the community about food production and agricultural practices.

Engaging with local charities and organisations, Agri-cation CIC runs weekly sessions with dedicated volunteers, building a vibrant community hub. They collaborate with organisations like Woody's Lodge and North Wales Wildlife Trust to support veterans and promote environmental education.

Getting to grips with farm life at Agri-cation CIC.

A key challenge is transportation to the site, prompting Cheryl, 40, to raise funds for a minibus to enhance accessibility for participants. Agri-cation CIC also focuses on reducing unemployment in Wrexham by partnering with the DWP to develop bespoke programs that help individuals transition back into the workforce. Their outreach extends to Berwyn Prison, where they aim to engage inmates with farming backgrounds or interests, providing opportunities for reintegration.

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Cheryl has worked tirelessly to create a community hub that bridges the gap between urban and rural lifestyles, addressing social disconnection by bringing people together through agriculture, education, and wellbeing activities.

She manages a sustainable beef enterprise that utilises automated systems for efficient calf rearing. They collaborate with local dairy farmers, rearing 50% of their own beef supply chain, and are exploring innovative practices to enhance animal welfare.

Cheryl Reeves, project manager at Agri-cation CIC (right) and Emma Lee, who joined the team at the start of the year thanks to funding.

Since its inception four years ago, Agri-cation CIC has successfully integrated on-farm education with beef rearing, supporting participants in practical farm tasks while gaining valuable skills. The initiative has proven effective in building confidence and creating pathways for individuals pursuing careers in agriculture.

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On finding out about their place in the final, Cheryl said: "We're proud to have been shortlisted, we really didn't think we'd be in with a chance.

"To win would be phenomenal, and just to let more people know about us, to know we're here."

Agri-cation CIC will find out if they are a winner at the British Farming Awards on October 17, in an event at The VOX in Birmingham.

Getting to grips with farm life at Agri-cation CIC.

Earlier this year, Agri-cation CIC was awarded funding from the local authority to run its Nature Connect Programme through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

This was aimed at building confidence and providing essential knowledge transfer to unemployed individuals seeking to gain skills in the agricultural and associated sectors.

This has been an collaborative project that has worked with local organisations including GMC Construction, Net World Sports, Gatewen Training, JCB Skills Academy and many more.

Working on raised beds at Agri-cation CIC.

The Nature Connect Programme has seen a 75% pass rate for participants earning their LANTRA qualifications in health and safety, which is a very transferable qualification across industries. All attendees reported a positive experience, citing enhanced progression, personal development, and increased confidence, so much so Agri-cation CIC has referals to the JCB Skills Academy, Coleg Cambria enrolment for further education, work placements with GMC Construction and interviews with local business.

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Agri-cation CIC continue to support those that benefitted from its Nature Connect course and will continue to mentor, guide and influence for futures years to come.

They have also expanded their outreach to school trips for classes of up to 30 children throughout the year, educating younger generations about food production and the environment, and offer offer wellness activities to the community, such as outdoor yoga and meditation session with a twist.

At Getting to grips with farm life at Agri-cation CIC, everyone gets stuck in.

Their high school referral programme has seen excellent results, including a student who has secured a part-time position with Agri-cation CIC.

Looking ahead to 2024, Agri-cation CIC has exciting plans to create an on-site outdoor cooking area. This project will provide education on how to grow food and use seasonal cooking techniques, with a focus on tackling food poverty, promoting sustainability, and building confidence within the community

• For more information or to get involved, email info@agrication.co.uk or call Cheryl on 07391 946 088.