How to get to us . . .

 

We are HERE!

you can also find us by putting GL17 9PA into googlemaps.  If you are using SatNav to get to us - please look at where the arrow is pointing so that you find the right road into the farm.  SatNav users usually take the wrong turning at the last minute . . .

If you are using public transport (well done)

Bus from Gloucester

The bus station is next to the train station. Travel from Gloucester Station to Ruardean Square. Click here for a list of bus timetables.

By Car

By car from the M4 come over the old severn bridge (M48) and take the Chepstow turn off. Go into Chepstow, over the bridge on the A48, and turn left onto the B4228 signposted to Coleford and the Forest of Dean. Follow the signs to Cinderford out of Coleford. Join the A4136 then take a left turning to Lydbrook. Drive through Lydbrook until you reach the River Wye and turn right. After half a mile there is a sharp right hand turn to Ruardean. We are the first right up this road.

By car from Gloucester and M40 Take the A40 from Glos as far as Huntley, then turn left onto A4136. Follow this until you reach Nailbridge (after Mithcheldean). Turn right to Ruardean. Go through Ruardean and come down the hill towards the river Wye. Go past Little Marstow Farm (left) and Great Marstow Farm (right). We are the next left after that.

By car from the M5 Come down the M5, turn onto the M50 and go to Junc 4. Take the ring road (A40) round the top of Ross. Turn left to Goodrich after 3 miles TAKE CARE it comes up fast! Drive past the post office and school, and turn left at the T Junction under the stone bridge, then over Kerne bridge crossing the river Wye. Turn right at T junc at Kerne Bridge onto the B4234 (signed to Lydbrook) then past a garage on your right. The second left fork after the garage is signposted to Ruardean. We are the first right on this road.

Useful telephone numbers:-

Stage Coach Buses (Gloucester) - 01452 783540 click here for website

National Rail Enquiries - 03457 484950 click here for website

National Express Coaches - 0871 781 8181 click here for website

Local Taxi Companies (near the farm) - CDS Taxis 01594 834834 / Crystal Travel 01594 832288 / K&T Taxis 01594 845913 / Road Runner 07778 277752

If you are attending a course or event that finishes on Sunday or late at night please consider arranging your travel home in advance.

Contact your course/event tutor to see if they can arrange a lift share for you.

If you need to get a bus or a train please consider booking a taxi to the bus/train station in advance. Rural bus services are scant in the evenings and on Sunday, and getting a taxi at short notice in this area can be difficult.

 

  • Regenerative Agriculture

    with Jairo Restrepo

    Agriculture is changing. A new brand of modern agriculture using Agro ecology as it's guiding principle is gaining traction both on the ground and in academic circles.

    Linked to this is the recognition that small farmers across the world need to organise and stand together in order to stand up to industrial food production.

    Jairo Restrepo has been a lead teacher in the field of Chromatography, biofertilisers, bokashi and micro organisms for many years. He also has extensive experience of implementing these at different scales through his consultation work. We are very pleased to be able to offer his expert knowledge at Ragmans as these technologies are increasingly recognised. As Darren Doherty says "this guy is a genius and a tour de force of the first order!"

    Regenerative Agriculture led by Jairo Restrepo, will give farmers and growers the practical tools needed to analyse their soils and create fertile systems using home made bio fertilisers and minimal-cost pest and disease control methods.

    Spanish is Jairo's first language so the course will be delivered through a translator who will be present for the whole course. Jairo has taught extensively in Europe and his teaching is relevant here as well as in South America. You can find a detailed biography on Jairo by clicking here

    A 5 day course 18-22nd July 2015

    (limited residential option available)

    Synopsis
    This course combines the theoretical and practical basis for Jairo Restrepo’s Regenerative Agriculture. The main focus of Regenerative Agriculture is the health of the land and the quality of the food produced on the land. Jairo’s teaching style makes clear the how and why of regenerating biological fertility and mineral agricultural soils; and how this enables the viable production of healthy food that is affordable to consumers and profitable for farmers. His methods allow farmers to disengage from a dependence on external inputs.

    The course has a very practical approach including practical workshops and encouraging sharing between participants whilst providing an opportunity to reflect on the principles, objectives and strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.

    The practical work covers production and application of organic fertilizers, bio-fertilisers, minerals, and micro-organisms (the ‘wines’ and ‘flours’ of Regenerative Agriculture) with a focus on producing these from locally available resources.

    Examples from Jairo’s work provide the evidence base for successful transition from conventional approaches to a regenerative agriculture approach.

    Who should attend:
    Farmers and independent small-scale growers, food producers, food retailers, technicians, students. Anyone interested in sustainable rural development and environmental protection. Students, experienced growers and technicians looking to update and acquire ‘new’ knowledge and methodologies for promoting sustainable development in rural areas.

    For a You Tube video on Regenerative Agriculture with English subtitles click here

    Course Objectives
    After the workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Identify the principles, objectives and basic strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.
    • Discuss the process of transition from a conventional approach to a Regenerative Agriculture approach, taking into consideration the conditions and the state of the resources, time and space available.
    • Recognise the factors and resources available/needed for applying Regenerative Agriculture principles
    • Encourage and support the sharing of such information with other farmers/growers, e.g. via campesina
    • Share appropriate practical tools and methodologies for sharing knowledge about Regenerative Agriculture
    • Provide examples of the successful application of Regenerative Agriculture.

    Course Outline:
    ∗ Introduction: A vision to rescue agriculture. More than 30 years of the farmer’s movement in Latin America and the tools that have been used.
    ∗ Crop nutrition as a tool to prevent pests and diseases.
    ∗ Theory and practice of trophobiosis.
    ∗ Regeneration of our soils. The concept of the 3 M's
    ∗ Using rock flour for re-mineralization
    ∗ How to make adapted bio-fertilizers
    ∗ Hot and cold mineral broths
    ∗ Plant protection and stimulating plant health
    ∗ Quick to build new floor (Bokashi) Composting
    ∗ Reducing the use of copper
    ∗ Seed protection
    ∗ The role of micro-organisms in soil and plants
    ∗ The use of micro-organisms for the regeneration of soil fertility
    ∗ The use of micro-organisms for combating pests and diseases
    ∗ How to identify which micro-organisms are essential for our crops
    ∗ How to produce native micro-organisms

    • Includes a one-day Chromatography session

    For a detailed breakdown of the course please click here

    Please note: this course will be delivered in Spanish with a translator.

    Jairo will also be running a one day course on Chromatography click here for details.

    Concessions available: please email us on info@ragmans.co.uk with details of why you would like to be considered for a concession.

    For information about Jairo's other courses and events whilst in the UK please click here

     


    £650.00

    •