Black Mountains College (BMC) is an exciting new project, which only started teaching in 2020. Whilst a lot of educational institutions are large, formal, and focussed on content which is abstract and past-based, this one is the opposite.

     Its founders, including writer and campaigner Ben Rawlence, now Chief Executive of the college, set out to create a place where study and practice come together, helping people face the realities of climate change and learn the skills they will need in an uncertain future. Read more

In 2024, there were widespread, strongly felt protests by Welsh farmers against the Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme. What happened then?

     This is a heartening example of genuine dialogue and mutual adjustment, which has led to major revisions in the SFS. The Farmers’ Union of Wales said the new plan “proposed workable payment rates” and provides “much needed stability for the sector”. Read more

Last call for The Meaning Harvest: September 11-17, mid-Wales, for 18-35s

In a world that can feel overwhelming and uncertain, how can we find guidance and meaning? A few places still available for this unique, guided, shared exploration. Details here.

Natural Happiness: using organic growth models: October 3, 10am-1pm, online

Alan will be leading a participative workshop for the Nature Practitioner Network, sharing his Natural Happiness approach. He’ll show how simple methods from organic gardening can be applied to grow resilience and wellbeing, and invite participants to reflect on how these ideas could enrich their own nature-based practice. Details here.

Rising Tide: Making Philosophy Wise Again: September 28, 17:00-18:15pm, online
Our guest speaker for this session is Aamir Kaderbhai, who will be introducing insights from Asian traditions, especially from India, on how philosophy can be reclaimed as a living practice. He will invite us to see it not only as debate, but as community and a guide to wiser ways of living in challenging times. Details here.

Across the UK, people are asking how we can build more secure, resilient food systems. Wouldn’t it be great to grow more food near to where it’s needed, whilst creating opportunities for young growers, and regenerating the land.

     At Sarn, in mid-Wales, this vision is becoming reality.  Read more