Agri-cation uses a beef farm near Wrexham as an alternative learning environment
A 110-acre beef farm near Wrexham has won a Welsh community learning award after helping more than 230 adults develop new skills through farming and outdoor activities.
Agri-cation CIC, based at Bangor-on-Dee, delivered 23 courses for 232 adult learners through Groundwork North Wales over the past year, alongside its own community programmes.
Founded by Cheryl Reeves and her husband Andrew in 2020, the organisation uses the working farm as an alternative learning environment for people who may struggle to engage with conventional education or training.
Participants take part in activities including animal care, cooking, woodwork, outdoor mindfulness and wellbeing sessions.
The aim is to build employability and life skills while helping people learn more about food production, nature and the environment.
Many of those attending are out of work, socially isolated or facing barriers linked to low confidence and other personal circumstances.
Agri-cation has now won the Hywel Francis Award for Community Impact in this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards.
It is one of 11 winners due to be recognised at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff on 23 September.
Cheryl Reeves said: “We are delighted to win this award, which acknowledges all the work we do for the community. Hopefully, it will help to raise awareness of our business to a wider area and open the door to more people to use our facilities.”
The organisation’s existing programmes include Wellness in Wellies, which supports people experiencing isolation and anxiety, as well as Family Farm Days and practical skills sessions.
Further courses are also being developed, including Lads & Dads sessions and Agored Cymru-accredited learning opportunities.
Reeves said the farm setting was central to how participants engage with the programmes.
“Each programme shares a core purpose: removing barriers, building confidence and reconnecting people with community and nature,” she said.
“What sets Agri-cation apart is that people don’t realise they are learning. By creating welcoming and supportive environments we help individuals develop skills in a way that feels nothing like formal education.”
Louise Stokes, training officer at Groundwork North Wales, nominated Agri-cation for the award.
“Agri-cation’s impact goes far beyond skills development,” she said.
“Many learners describe the experience as transformational, reporting improved mental health, increased self-belief, renewed motivation and a strong sense of belonging.”
Agri-cation was established shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic and took around two years to become fully operational.
Since then, the farm has developed into a base for community learning across north Wales, combining agriculture with practical training and wellbeing support.
The Inspire! Adult Learning Awards form part of Adult Learners’ Week in Wales, which runs from 21 to 27 September and is coordinated by the Learning and Work Institute with support from the Welsh Government.
Michelle Matheron, Learning and Work Institute Director for Wales, said: “The impact can be transformative and we can see that through the stories of our award winners.”
Agri-cation is now looking to expand its range of courses while continuing to use the working beef farm as a setting for people who may be less likely to take part in traditional learning.