We’re excited to share an update on the ongoing partnership between The Fifth Trust and It’s Bloomin’ Organic – A collaboration rooted in sustainability, community benefit, and hands‑on learning for our students.

This season’s mushroom project is a true joint effort. Using oak logs from recently felled trees from It’s Bloomin Organic, the team and our students began by drilling holes to plug with mushroom spawn grown by our horticulture team at the Barham Skills Centre – synergy! Once ready, the team sealed the logs, and will now leave them for several weeks before stacking them to begin the natural development process. If conditions are right, we may see their first harvest this season. From there, the logs have the potential to produce mushrooms for up to five years!

Beyond the mushroom project, Its Bloomin’ Organic makes full use of the land at the Fifth Trust’s Barham Skills Centre, growing a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. All produce is donated to local food banks, helping support local individuals and families, with any surplus benefitting our cafe and garden centre.