A Hadlow College horticulture apprentice has been named Kent Young Gardener of the Year, recognising his dedication, talent and impact within his local community.
Logan Boorman (pictured above), who is currently studying Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship at the College, received the prestigious award for his outstanding contribution to Communigrow, a sustainable food education charity based in East Malling.
Logan joined Communigrow at the start of the year and quickly became an invaluable member of the team. The organisation grows vegetables sustainably and works closely with local groups, including veterans, school children and home-education communities, to promote the benefits of growing food and connecting with nature.
Tamsin Gillard-Moss, Communigrow’s Community Engagement Manager, described what makes Logan such a deserving winner in the Kent Life Garden of the Year Awards: “Logan arrived in bleakest January to start his apprenticeship full of enthusiasm, with great prior knowledge of plants and plenty of good humour. He has been a huge asset to the team, hardworking, open and flexible to the variable demands of the role at our food education charity.
“He gets on brilliantly with people from all walks of life: children in our Field School, young adults with additional needs in our Young Roots group, volunteers, service users and customers who pop in to buy our veg and chat about growing food. He always has a smile and goes above and beyond to make people feel welcome and included.”
Reflecting on his journey, Logan said joining Communigrow was a turning point both personally and professionally: “Joining Communigrow was almost a coming-of-age change in my life. After months of searching for the right apprenticeship, finding the role felt like a relief, I knew it was meant for me.
“The community aspect and the commitment to working with nature to support people’s wellbeing means so much to me. There’s a magic in the work we do, and it’s a joy to see people’s lives change just by being on the land together.”
Logan’s tutor, Gareth Batts, Senior Skills Trainer in Horticulture at Hadlow College, praised the achievement and the hard work behind it: “We are incredibly proud of Logan. He has fully embraced both his apprenticeship and his role at Communigrow. This award reflects his passion for sustainable growing and the care he brings to working with people, key qualities we aim to develop in all our learners.”
The Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship provides hands-on training in plant and crop production, sustainability, soil science, pest management and industry-standard techniques. Learners benefit from specialist facilities and close partnerships with local employers, preparing them for careers across the land-based sector.
Hadlow College is part of North Kent College, one of the country’s leading apprenticeship providers, and a range of apprenticeships are offered at its leafy campus.
You can view full details of what is on offer by visiting the apprenticeships section of the Hadlow College website.
About Hadlow College
Hadlow College is Kent’s only rural and land-based college, set within a 265-acre estate of farmland, woodland, lakes and horticultural grounds. The campus includes three commercial farms, extensive animal management, equine and fisheries facilities, and one of the country’s leading educational animal collections.
Students gain hands-on experience in professional settings including Faulkner’s Farm (sheep and rotational grazing), Blackman’s Farm (beef and arable production), and Grove Farm (a working fishery and hatchery). The College also houses the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, the first of its kind in the UK, and an equestrian centre with 64 stables and two international-size indoor arenas.
Hadlow College is home to the Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence, the UK’s first centre of excellence in greenhouse growing, and a pioneering concept orchard and vineyard featuring AI management systems, robotic fruit picking and sustainable crop innovation. The College was also the first in the UK to offer a RAPTOR Award, a nationally recognised falconry qualification equipping students with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to work confidently with birds of prey.
Students are trained to become the farmers, horticulturists and environmental leaders of the future, driving progress in sustainable food and land management.
The College’s residential accommodation, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (2024), offers students a supportive and inclusive living environment, while the wider North Kent College group was graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ for Behaviours and Attitudes’ in 2024.
A proud exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Hadlow College earned a Silver Gilt Medal in 2025 for its educational garden No Such Thing as a Toadstool and continues to achieve excellence in apprenticeships — including national first completions in Sports Turf and Golf Greenkeeping.
With its unique facilities, expert staff and commitment to sustainable innovation, Hadlow College continues to cultivate the skills, knowledge and passion needed to shape the future of the land-based industries.
Find out more at www.hadlow.ac.uk
Source Hadlow College
