Positive Food Futures

For the most part, the world’s food system is highly industrialised and damaging to both the health of the natural world and our own human health. It’s vulnerable and it’s straining and fraying under the pressure of climate and ecological collapse. Yet, we know that if we create positive food systems, we can transform the health of landscapes, communities and our own lives. 

This is complicated stuff so we don’t have all the answers. What we do know is that there are lots of people and organisations who can help us on our journey to find new ways of producing our food and repairing our relationship with the land. The seminal National Food Strategy will also provide us with a useful reference for where we go next. 

Change only happens because of the actions of curious and committed people – and that’s where you come in. 

Positive Food Futures is an exciting new programme from the Eden Project for young adults with an interest in the future of food and farming and their effects on the world. 

We are seeking a small group of enthusiastic participants to join us on this journey towards making the world of food and farming a better place. Together we will embark on a journey to learn about the current state of food and farming, as well as its impacts.

Along the way, we will equip you with the knowledge and understanding to rethink and reimagine these food systems to make them more sustainable. We will also consider what roles we can play individually and collectively to help make this happen. 

Food is the great connector. It connects people to each other, to landscapes near and far, and to economies. It is one of the most meaningful ways we engage with the world around us.

Simply, we mean everything that happens from the farm to the plate. So, everything to do with fields, nurseries, production systems, supply chains, shops and restaurants, buyers and consumers, along with all the people and jobs that support these systems.

According to the IPCC, one billion people are employed in the global food system. This means one in seven of us are involved in feeding the world. 

This course is likely to be of interest to you if you are:

• passionate about food and farming
• interested in climate change and sustainability
• between 18 and 24 years old
• in full time education or taking some time out to work out what you want to do next

Although the cost to participate is free, we are especially interested in receiving applications from people who would be unable to access or afford this kind of training.

Positive Food Futures is a residential course based at the Eden Project in Cornwall. It is a small group experience with up to 10 participants.

Each day of the course is organised around some important questions which will give structure to the week. Together we will explore these questions through a range of different sessions and experiences. 

Participants can expect to:

• Be inspired by people changing the systems that produce our food
• Spend time working together in small groups, exploring the issues of the day
• Engage in a practical range of food activities 
• Find mentors that will help you on your own food journey 
• Visit growers, producers and farmers who are challenging the status quo 

Participants will stay at a wonderful organic farm about 20 mins from the Eden Project in the midst of the Cornish countryside. Accommodation will be in dormitory-style rooms in beautiful converted farm buildings, which are comfortable and rustic. At Woodland Valley Farm, you will be immersed in the magical sight, sounds and smells of mid-Cornwall, which is rich in wildlife - including Cornwall’s first beaver family! Your stay on the programme will be fully-catered for.

There will be some walking over rough ground. It isn’t intended to be an endurance exercise, but some level of background fitness would be helpful. If you have any access needs, please let us know and we’ll do all we can to support you.

This programme is a pilot and it is kindly being funded by the Elm Tree Trust, to whom we are incredibly grateful. 

We'd like to hear about your passion for food and farming and why you would like to participate on this short course. Please include a bit about you and what this opportunity may do for you.

You may submit your application as one of the following:

• Two-minute video filmed on your phone
• One page of A4 writing, handwritten or digital
• PowerPoint presentation of 4-6 slides

If you are resident or studying in England or Wales, please send your application to foodfutures@edenproject.com. 

We will review the applications and shortly after, you should anticipate a brief phone or video call with the teaching team. 
If you are successful we will arrange your travel to Cornwall. For the programme to run smoothly, it's expected that you will be able to arrive by train to St Austell, Cornwall. 

We are expecting this programme to be very popular – so good luck!

Please note that applications closed on Friday 12 August. Any future dates that are confirmed for this course will be added this page.