Welcome to the Plumpton College at Flimwell for Sustainable Food, Farming and Forestry website, train to be a butcher, bacon, gammon, beef, pork, lamb, venison, finished stock,farming advise <meta name="keywords" content="bacon. pork, lamb, venison, farming_advise, be_a_butcher, organic

About Us
	October 2011 Campaign To Protect Rural England award Centre for Sustainable Food Farming and Forestry with Highly Commended
Plumpton College at Flimwell Centre for Sustainable Food Farming and Forestry is not just for farmers. Established some years ago, and originally the idea of Simon Bishop Sussex Farmer of the Year 2009/2010 [read about Simon Bishop (pdf)]of Plumpton College and Topsy Jewell of Common Cause.
	They decided to set up a centre to raise awareness of farming, food and environmental issues by providing an advice, training and networking enterprise to assist farmers and growers to keep farming in a sustainable way.
	In January 2011 The Centre for Sustainable Food and Farming moved to Plumpton College at Flimwell and now encompasses the forestry courses Plumpton run at this site. Course List and Dates
	The "Be a Butcher" courses are hands on, and in most cases limited to four participants, they take place at an on-farm cutting room. The butchery training has something for everyone. "I would like you to know that the tutor for the sausage making course was brilliant she is a great communicator and knows her subject inside out! Thanks for a great day, I learnt a lot." Colin Hawkes.
There is butchery training in Pork, Lamb, Venison and Beef, learn how to produce quality bacon and cure gammon. Make tasty sausages and salami. Take these skills back to your home and start to make your meat pay. First though learn how to select your finished stock and market your meat. Food hygiene is a necessary part of selling your meat, Plumpton College has CIEH certified courses in Food Hygiene and Cleaning of Premises. There are also further courses covering legislation for farmers, from Nitrate Vulnerable Zone advice, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Cross Compliance, Livestock Transport Certificate to earning an income from your kitchen. The farming methods championed by Plumpton College Centre for Sustainable Food Farming and Forestry are extensive not intensive ensuring high standards of animal welfare working with the environment and land.
	The forestry courses at Flimwell, include: managing your woodlands, emergency first aid, woodland archaeology, coppicing, chainsaw use, felling smal trees, trug making, bowl carving, willow plant supports, hurdle making, oak timber framing and woodland art.
More and more businesses have realised the enormous opportunity there is to add value and sell quality products to local markets. Plumpton College Centre for Sustainable Food Farming and Forestry assists farmers, growers, retailers sourcing local produce, first time land owners, bed and breakfast businesses, restaurants, cafes, hotels as well as anyone employed or considering being employed in farming, growing or associated food related industries with a desire to change direction, add value or simply gain a new skill. Training, development and assistance is provided through one and two day courses, butchery skills, work shadowing and demonstration farm visits
	Telephone and e-mail advice and on-farm visits. Direction to advice, training, and grant giving organisations. Support for diversification and local marketing. Networking farmers and growers and producers and retail outlets.
For more information about the farms, management systems and direct marketing enterprise please email E-mail
	Classroom for hire sited on a working organic farm. Ideal for training days. Conference and party venue also available. Delicious locally produced lunch can be provided. For more details see Classroom
	Wonderful wedding or event venue for hire at Woodland Enterprise Centre at Flimwell
Office Move The untimely death of Simon Bishop in November 2009 precipitated the office move.
Booking Form, Course List and Dates