_Dear Soil health enthusiast_
The second national Soil Hack gathering is taking place over the
weekend of 26th-27th May. We invite you to come and contribute your
experiences, share ideas and learn about soil regeneration: As part
of a DIY movement, we'll collectively discuss, study, explore and
celebrate the living soil upon which we all depend. This is an
opportunity to work together as part of a knowledge-sharing network,
to empower one another to understand more about soils and take
actions to improve their health.
We'd love for you to join us and get involved - it's going to be
ground-making!
Do you have a burning question to ask? Experience to share? A new
innovation to tell the world about? Well we want to know all about
it! Please let us know in advance if you have ideas for workshops /
sessions you would like to be involved in organising.
To find out more and to book your place go to -
https://pretix.eu/soilhack/2018
For more info; to ask us a question or offer a skill share email us at -
soilhack(a)mailo.co
Look forward to see you there,
Soil Hack Organising Crew
Hi everyone
We've made a pad for people coming to the Soilhack gathering to use for
getting in touch with each other about liftshares, here:
http://board.net/p/soilhack-liftshare
It's a bit like a googledoc.. just write the details of your offer or
request, there's no need to save what you write as it saves
automatically.
Hope that makes sense!
Tilo x
Regarding volunteers -
It is hoped that everyone coming will help to ensure the smooth running
of the event. There is already a lot of good infrastructure on site
which means that set up and take down are unlikely to take more than a
day. If you are interested in helping out with this please email us at
soilhack(a)mailo.com
If you can not afford the ticket price we can offer some free places.
Please email us to arrange this.
Regarding sessions -
As far as I am aware Mick has not booked a ticket or contacted us about
running a session on compost. Related to this there is more info below
about food arrangements for the weekend.
The farmer who had offered to lead on the agroforestry plan he is
implementing on his farm has been offered a bursary to cover costs for
an agroforestry conference in Europe that starts the following day and
will no longer be attending as he cant leave his farm for so long at
such a busy time of year.
We have some more sessions being arranged - details to follow.
Regarding payment -
If you have already booked a ticket you should of just received an email
about payments. Please check you inbox.
Regarding accommodation -
If you do not wish to camp, you are welcome to bring a camper or live-in
vehicle to stay in (please communicate this in advance). There are
multiple B&Bs, hotels and other places to stay in the local towns of
Glastonbury and Street. There is also a Youth Hostel up the road from
Compton Dundon - http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/street
Regarding food -
Meals will be provided Saturday lunch, Saturday evening, Sunday morning
and Sunday Lunch. Hot drinks will be available throughout. Please bring
any of your favourite extras if you think you will need them. Please
ensure you communicate any allergies or food preferences when booking.
If you have already booked and were not asked about this during the
booking process please let us know via email - soilhack(a)mailo.com
The food over the weekend will be vegan (but we promise totally
delicious). The catering is being organised by the wonderful Feed Avalon
who have organised funding to support the event, arranged the use of
the site & the food for the weekend. Their support for SoilHack has
been amazing.
If you have any health or access needs around food please ensure these
are communicated via the booking form (or email us if you have not been
able to do this). It is also possible to self-cater if this is
preferable for you. Unfortunately, because the site is used for vegan
courses and events, the kitchen will not be an appropriate place to
store, prepare or consume animal products. If you communicate your
needs to us, we will do our best to organise alternative cooking
facilities . The Pub that is directly opposite the site also serves meals.
With the gathering approaching tickets are starting to sell increasingly
quickly - if you are planning to come it would be helpful if you could
book soon - to help us get an idea of numbers and arrange sufficient
infrastructure. It will also secure your place as there are limited
tickets.
We have some fliers that can be printed or shared on social media
available for download. Also an A4 poster. All available to download
from https://datengarten.allmende.io/s/PpyNgdqLRSF2mcY
The weekend schedule is starting to fill up,
Some details are still being hammered out, but current sessions planned
include -
Agroforestry design
In this extended participatory session we explore agroforestry
principles, the design being implemented on a 35 acre farm, digital
tools to aid design and then create a design for the Brook End LAND site
Applying new wisdom
Open session where participants share ideas and experiences of adapting
farming practices in order to make full use of our new and developing
understandings of soil
Introduction to soil microscopy
Using microscopes to assess microbial life in soil, compost and compost
teas. Practical session examining suitable equipment and techniques for
assessment.
Shumei natural agriculture
Insights to the practice of natural agriculture, saving seed and how to
grow food with no inputs
The politics of soil
The politics of soil- extended peer to peer facilitated session in which
we delve deeper into the politics of soil
Gardening inline with your soils and how to help and improve them
Outside practical skill share , share your knowledge and/or learn
something new
Rotation for soil health
A run down the soil soil health pricncipals with activities to show how
to apply them in your rotation plans
Colonisation of soils
Mama Dee helps us get a deeper insight into our relationship with soils,
from here to the other siide of the world and back
Biochar stove demo
Saturday evening biochar burn with presentations and discussions about
using biochar.
Make your own potting compost
A practical explanation of what goes into a good seed and potting
compost from things you can harvest yourself from your land
This list will be updated on the gathering website as more sessions are
finalised -
https://pretix.eu/soilhack/2018/page/soilhack-gathering-2018-content/
There is room for more sessions, so if you have something you would like
to share or know someone who may be interested please do get in touch.
Looking forward to it.
Darren
