The GroundsFest Academy opened its calendar of free training events this month with a hands-on, highly practical session hosted at DLF Seeds. Funded directly from the profits of GroundsFest itself, this event is the first of eight set to run across the year. It gave working attendies the chance to sharpen their technical knowledge in a no-nonsense, face-to-face setting, completely free of charge.
The day began with the essentials—tea, coffee, and introductions—before moving straight into a seed identification session. All delegates had the chance to get involved, not just by listening, but by physically working through identification tasks. There were trays of seed to pass around, and the team at DLF explained what to look for with each one.
This carried into the next section, which focused on grass species. Instead of just being shown pictures, participants could hold pots of grass, pull them apart, and look at leaf structure and colour, learning by sight and touch how to tell one species from another.
After a short break, things got more detailed with practical demonstrations of seed germination testing and pre-germination techniques. Attendees were able to see examples up close and ask questions on how to adapt these methods to different jobs.
One of the standout moments came from a seed identification activity that saw delegates work in four groups, matching seeds in pots to their correct names. The energy in the room changed: it got everyone going, and for a short 10-minute session, it ended up being the unexpected highlight of the morning.
After a buffet lunch, the group moved outside for a full tour of DLF’s facilities. This was an exceptionally well-planned tour, demonstrating the journey of the seed once it arrives from growers: how it’s cleaned, sorted, packaged, and sent out through suppliers. It helped connect the science with the supply chain, giving a clearer idea of what’s behind the bag you’re buying.
Up on the trial plots, attendees saw how different species and mixtures perform under real-world conditions. These included golf greens, football pitches, wildflower patches, and even a racetrack strip with a proper barrier, showing how grass holds up under equine pressure. This was a truly unique insight into how mixtures are tested by big companies like DLF before they reach the market.
To finish the day, each delegate got a certificate and photo with instructor Bradley, along with a quick group picture and followed by some light quizzes to recap what had been covered. The feedback was strong across the board, with attendees saying they’d enjoyed the day’s events thoroughly.
If you’re looking for hands-on, practical education backed by people who know the job inside out, keep an eye out for the next GroundsFest Academy event. The idea of these days is to provide something more engaging and enjoyable than straight classroom theory or hours of listening-only seminars, and judging by the positive reaction from the first session’s attendees, GroundsFest Academy delivered exactly that.
