Grow Leader at Grow Wilder

A 19-week journey in agroecological skills, personal growth & community leadership. The course alternates between taught sessions and practical workdays, allowing time for integration and witnessing the seasonal changes on the land.

Over the course, you’ll follow the plant cycles—germination, growth, bloom, setting seed death and decomposition—as metaphors and guides for your own learning journey. Through hands-on horticultural practice, personal reflection, and community building, you’ll gain both practical skills and transformative personal insight.

Whether you’re tending a garden or nurturing a bold idea, Grow Leader supports you to:
Learn core ecological and horticultural skills in topics such as; soil health, composting, plant care and seed saving.
Build confidence and clarity in your leadership voice
Engage meaningfully with peers and local communities
Design and present a community project rooted in your values and vision for the future

What will I learn?
The taught sessions are led by 8 different tutors all bringing their experience and knowledge for the students to absorb and learn from. The days include classroom-based learning covering the fundamentals of each topic and opportunity for group discussion. Following outdoor activities, such as;
On the soil health day there will be a walk of the site experiencing the different soil types across Grow Wilder.
The seed sovereignty day includes a demonstration of seed saving with seasonally appropriate plants.

Each taught session has been designed as an introduction to the topic, aiming to inspire your interest, building personal confidence to take positive action for people and wildlife within your communities.

The taught sessions alternate with practical workdays tending to the different areas of Grow Wilder; ponds, wildflower meadows, market garden, forest garden and small woodland. These days will be led by the students on rotation, providing an opportunity for leadership in wildlife gardening, urban conservation, horticulture and food growing skills.

Why the Grow Leader course?
Based at Grow Wilder a beautiful urban nature reserve in north Bristol, connecting people, wildlife and food. Grow Leader is more than a course—it’s a call to cultivate your capacity to lead with integrity, rooted in care for the earth and connection with others.
After the course many participants have gone on to re-design their gardens or community growing spaces, others have found fulfilling work with community organisations, the charitable sector or private gardening work. Most find the community built during their Grow Leader course invaluable support in pursuing next steps.