Orchard Learning - hands-on and inspirational courses hosted by HOCO
To mark its 20th anniversary in 2018, and maturing as a pioneering urban orchard, HOCO launched an ambitious, orchard-based, practical learning programme. The first group of Orchard Learners celebrated the end of their course at Wassail (Saturday 19 January, 2019).
The Orchard Learning Programme, a 9-month course tuned to the growing year. It gives participants, who already have some fruit growing experience, a unique learning opportunity in a rich and diverse local food project. If circumstances allow - we hope to offer this course again in 2024.
Get Growing Fruit Trees, a 4-month course, is an introduction for beginners. It is ideal for new growers joining HOCO as active members.
Pruning Courses for Beginners and Improvers guide participants to practice and problem-solve as they work with the less-than-perfect trees in the orchard.
More information about Orchard Learning Courses for 2023 can be seen here, including course outlines, dates, and application request form. Please contact us with any questions.
Membership Information 2023
We are open to new Harvest-share members who are taking part in Orchard Learning courses. We welcome supporters joining us a Friends. Course fees are discounted for all HOCO members.
Harvest Share members are buddied up with a fruit tree (or two). As well as looking after Tree Buddies, the orchard brings opportunities to learn about soil care, community food projects, organising public events, and more. We encourage members and supporters to take part in activities through the whole year. Seeing the seasonal growing cycle of the orchard is slow learning at its best. Please contact us if you'd like to become a member.
Harvest Share Member
Harvest Share membership is open to individuals and households who pay a yearly subscription and commit to working a minimum number of hours each year. There are full-share or half-share members. The difference in the time given is reflected by the share of the harvest received. As well as shared harvests, members also enjoy social and training events both in and out of the orchard.
Some tasks needed to keep the group going, e.g. looking after the website, administration, and publicity, can be counted towards the harvest share. Shares reflect the time given to the orchard, and may vary from year to year, depending on the harvest.
These subscriptions and hours were agreed at the Annual General Meeting 7 September 2021.
A work session is 2 hours November to March, 3 hours April to October.
There were 24 working meetings planned for 2020, see here for dates set so far.
A discount of £10 is available to members of either Avon Organic Group or Horfield & District Allotment Association.
Supporting Member
A supporting member, also known as a Friend, pays a minimum £25 subscription. Friends are welcome to attend member-only social events and training, and receive a selection of harvested fruit at (or near) Apple Day. Supporting members are welcome to take part in working meetings.
Supporting Organisation
A supporting organisation pays a minimum £40 donation. Organisations can come to member-only events and are entitled to one annual group visit to the orchard for education, training or leisure.
Public Events
You can also support the orchard by coming to our public events, more details of which can be found here.