- soilhack-announce - lists.ourproject.org

2015 SoilHack Gathering
by Darren 28 Aug '15

28 Aug '15

There has been a steady stream of people signing up to this mail list and it feels like time to take things forward. Something we have been talking about since the beginnings of the SoilHack idea is to have gatherings where soil geeks and the soil curious can get together to talk and learn about soil. A day goes quickly and limits time for interactions where as a weekend gives a bit more time for things to happen so we were thinking about a camp. SoilHack was formed around the idea of open collaboration and it would be good to let this guide the organisation of such a gathering. It would be nice if we could keep financial and organisational overheads to a minimum by - - trying to organise something before it gets too cold for people to camp - asking people to bring food to share / collaborating with food preparation (this can be a good time to chat) - asking people to bring stuff to talk about (do workshops, skill shares etc.) There would definitely be some biochar, soil microscopy and aerated compost tea stuff going on. A big part of it would be to get people together to spark conversations around soil, the work and research we are doing, and letting stuff grow out of these interactions. Also to see what ideas/energy people have for taking SoilHack forward. Interested in hearing from anyone interested in participating in such a gathering. We have kindly been offered the option to use the Brook End LAND Centre near Street/Glastonbury, Somerset (1hour south of Bristol) on the 9th - 11th October if we gave a donation towards expenses (firewood etc.) there is a hall / classroom with a woodstove and lots of outdoor space. There would be a limit of 25 participants, and along with camping, space to sleep in the hall or local B&Bs.

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SOil weekend
by Blue Finger Alliance 27 Aug '15

27 Aug '15

Hi Adam, I'm afraid I'm now not available on the weekend you suggest (I had said I would be around that weekend in my previous email). Good luck with it. Looking forward to connecting and sharing our Bristol story with you all soon. Maddy -- The Blue Finger Alliance www.bluefingeralliance.org.uk www.bluefingerfood.wordpress.com @bluefingersoil The Blue Finger Alliance is working towards getting land for local food growing enterprises recognised and protected in planning policy. It is starting this campaign focussing on the Blue Finger, a strip of incredible, top quality soil in North Bristol and South Gloucestershire which is vulnerable to development. This development would damage soil and biodiversity integrity and compromise our ability to create and sustain a thriving local food system. Healthy food starts with healthy soil. Please join this movement!

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Soil Health Special Interest Group, Cambridge, 8th Sept
by Adam Ormes Court 25 Aug '15

25 Aug '15

Just found this. Microbial activity is more important in maintaining soil health and its natural fertility than previously thought and a new technique to visualise soil structure will be one of the presentations at the launch of Agri-Tech East’s new Soil Health Special Interest Group at NIAB in Cambridge on the 8th September. More details: http://www.farmingfutures.org.uk/blog/exploring-new-ideas-about-soil Adam -- *"In order to change an existing paradigm you do not struggle to try and change the problematic model.* *You create a new model and make the old one obsolete.* *That, in essence, is the higher service to which we are all being called."* ~ Buckminster Fuller ~

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Message for Adam
by Josie Felce 22 Aug '15

22 Aug '15

Hi Adam, Are you the 'Adam' I met at the Soil Summer School in Glastonbury at the end of June this year, and do you live in/near Whiteshill, Stroud? If so, can you get in touch, very soon,about a project application I am presenting for a 'Walkway' across the BDLT newly acquired land between Stroud and Hawkwood. I desperately need someone to bounce ideas off, who has more detailed knowledge of BD gardening & plants generally. I need to submit the plans before Sept 3rd! Thanks, Josie Tel:01453-889504/ 07790 668 051

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Soil Workshop at the Organic Research Centre
by coline capron 14 Aug '15

14 Aug '15

Dear all, The Organic Research Centre is organising a workshop on soil assessment ‘Assessment and management of soil structure and organic matter’. Survey results about "How farmers already assess and manage their soil structure and organic matter" will also be presented. It's on Monday 24th of August at the Organic Research Centre, RG200HR, Newbury. Please find the draft agenda below: 9.30 am Arrival + Tea/coffee 10.00 am Presentation of survey results 10.30 am Overview and comparison of soil structure assessment methods and their interpretation 11.30 am Overview and comparison of organic matter laboratory indicators and their interpretation 12.00 am Management practices to improve soil structure and fertility (soil structure alleviation practices) 13.00 pm Lunch 14.00 pm How to identify a good from a bad soil structure? Overview of soil quality indicators 14.30 pm. Field session: soil structure assessment methods in practice 16.00 pm. Coffee/tea and end of the workshop The Organic Research Centre would ask you for a contribution of £20 (incl. lunch, tea/coffee, VAT). You can book for the workshop here : http://www.efrc.com/?i=events.php&event_id=342 Please book before the 18th of August. Site address Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury RG20 0HR Phone : 01488 658298 Don’t hesitate to share this event J See you soon at The Organic Research Centre, Best wishes, Coline

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Agronomic and Environmental Uses of Biochar - Part 2
by darreno＠openmailbox.org 11 Aug '15

11 Aug '15

Upcoming part 2 of webinar series Aug 21, 2015 https://learn.extension.org/events/2158 Part 1 recordings and slides available at http://www.extension.org/pages/73090/agronomic-and-environmental-uses-of-bi…

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Biodynamic Agriculture: Principles, Practice and Results with Vincent Masson 30th Oct - 1st Nov 2015
by Biodynamic Association 11 Aug '15

11 Aug '15

Dear All, We are pleased to let you know about this inspiring workshop as part of celebrating UN year of the soil. Full details below - all welcome. It is suitable for farmers, growers, gardeners and wine growers. Warm wishes - Jessica (BDA Office) *Biodynamic Agriculture: Principles, Practice and Results with Vincent Masson 30th Oct - 1st Nov 2015 <https://www.biodynamic.org.uk/magento/biodynamic-workshops.html>* *Venue*: Gables Farm, Nailsworth, GL6 OQE *Costs*: Full rate £125, BDA Member Rate £100 (includes lunch and refreshments) /*This 3 day seminar offers an fantastic opportunity to explore the principles behind the Biodynamic approach, understand how to put them into practice and get results on your farm, garden or vineyard.*//* *//*It will also help participants get to grips with using the Biodynamic Preparations effectively for soil and crop health and vitality.*/ Vincent Masson is France's foremost biodynamic consultant and the managing director of Biodynamie Services that makes and supplies preparations for over 3000 farms, gardens and vineyards in France and Europe. His knowledge, expertise and research into Biodynamics is truly inspiring. Topics include: What is Biodynamic Agriculture / The concept of the Farm Organism / The Biodynamic Preparations - their effects and how to use them / Research and Results / Understanding Cosmic Rhythms and practical use of planting calendars / Dealing with Pests and Diseases / Tree and Orchard management / Tree Paste and more. This event is suitable for farmers, growers, gardeners and wine growers - All welcome. There will also be a biodynamic farm walk during the event. For further information and booking contact BDA Office Tel: 01453 759501 e: office(a)biodynamic.org.uk Secure your place online here <https://www.biodynamic.org.uk/magento/biodynamic-workshops.html> -- The Biodynamic Association Re-Thinking Agriculture with 90 Years of Vital Soil Vital Food Tel: 01453 759501 ( Mon - Fri 9-1) Email:[email protected] www.biodynamic.org.uk --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

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Re: [soilhack-announce] WHOSE SOIL? 8TH AUGUST
by Adam Ormes Court 07 Aug '15

07 Aug '15

> > > dear all, > > *Whose Soil?* *on august 8th* in bristol is dedicated to exploring the > theme of *soil and social justice - artful dialogue between local and > global. *this Soil Saturday is part of Soil Culture at ceate thatis the > UK’s honouring of UN International Year of Soils. > > *10am - 10pm at create centre, bristol BS1 6XN - all events are free - a > small charge for brunch - all ages welcome* > > *www.touchstonecollaborations.com/whose-soil/ > <http://www.touchstonecollaborations.com/whose-soil/>* > > > conviviality *food as the gift of healthy soils* the arts and > sciences > *human passion and courage* soil as belonging love letters to the soil > hands-on making & stories *cultural diverisity and biodiversity soils as > the souce of life* > > > > this is a day to hear each others’ experiences and seed new ideas together > with a convivial bounty of good food to share. key elements include: > > > *11am - 2pm an organic and biodynamic brunch offered from 11am-2pm by Soil > Sisters of organic and local artisan foods* > > 10am - 2pm Community Love Letter to Soil using hand-made papers, > earth-based inks and powerful collective intent to celebrate and safeguard > our living soils > > 10am - 2pm *Rising up* and *Blue Finger Alliance* sharing stories and > experiences of activism to safeguard high quality agricultural land > coming out of the north fringe of the city of Bristol. > > 10am - 2pm *All Wrapped Up: creating beauty from packaging waste* with > artists Annali Grimes of Litterarti, Barbara Disney printing on waste > materials, Alison Harper exploring packaging and Eduardo Allen creating > subtle sounds. > > 2-4pm: *Soil not oil -**Soil, justice and hope in the oil soaked Niger > Delta* conversations and exchange with Jane Trowell of Platform London and > Eno Usua on art, activism, human rights with plenty of time for discussion > too. > > 4-5pm: *Claiming Soil and Sky* Co-creation of a geodesic installation by > Miche and Flora of Touchstone collaborations, on behalf of Bronwyn Lace and > Marcus Neustetter to honour the peoples of Sutherland, South Africa, and > their struggles to retain their home soils and land. > > 5-7pm: *Local and Global Feast with 91 Ways* sharing food and > story-sharing with friends and communities from 91 ways to celebrate soils > from around the world as the source of our food and community life. > > 7-9pm: *3 Acres and a Cow* theatre performance sharing a history of land > rights and protest in folk song and story. > > please be in touch to find out more and please share with your friends and > networks! > > warmest thanks, > > flora and miche > > *tel 07904 333015* > *@FGHardy* > > ‘Soil Culture *at create* is a timely celebration to remind the world > that we are all children of the living soil.’ *Satish Kumar, Resurgence > and Ecologist magazine and Schumacher College* > > > > > > > > > > > Soil Culture at create > > Summer Celebration of UN International Year of Soils 2015 > > Bristol European Green Capital > A partnership between Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural > World (CCANW),Touchstone collaborations and Soil Sisters > > soil(a)touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.ccanw.co.uk > > > Miche Fabre Lewin +44 (0) 7734 049407 > > Flora Gathorne-Hardy +44 (0) 7904 333015 > > Daphne Lambert +44 (0) 7796 686629 > skypename touchstonecollaborationsUK > > TED Talk Cooking, Culture and Conversations > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cmWmCGEjR0&feature=em-subs_digest&list=TLOR…> talk > for TEDx Soweto > > > studio OPS > > willow court > > beeches green > stroud GL5 4BJ > > ‘Soil Culture *at create* is a timely celebration to remind the world > that we are all children of the living soil.’ *Satish Kumar, Resurgence > and Ecologist magazine and Schumacher College* > > > Soil Culture at create > > Summer Celebration of UN International Year of Soils 2015 > > Bristol European Green Capital > A partnership between Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural > World (CCANW),Touchstone collaborations and Soil Sisters > > soil(a)touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.ccanw.co.uk > > > Miche Fabre Lewin +44 (0) 7734 049407 > > Flora Gathorne-Hardy +44 (0) 7904 333015 > > Daphne Lambert +44 (0) 7796 686629 > skypename touchstonecollaborationsUK > > TED Talk Cooking, Culture and Conversations > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cmWmCGEjR0&feature=em-subs_digest&list=TLOR…> talk > for TEDx Soweto > > > studio OPS > > willow court > > beeches green > stroud GL5 4BJ > > ‘Soil Culture *at create* is a timely celebration to remind the world > that we are all children of the living soil.’ *Satish Kumar, Resurgence > and Ecologist magazine and Schumacher College* > > > Soil Culture at create > > Summer Celebration of UN International Year of Soils 2015 > > Bristol European Green Capital > A partnership between Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural > World (CCANW),Touchstone collaborations and Soil Sisters > > soil(a)touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.touchstonecollaborations.com > > www.ccanw.co.uk > > > Miche Fabre Lewin +44 (0) 7734 049407 > > Flora Gathorne-Hardy +44 (0) 7904 333015 > > Daphne Lambert +44 (0) 7796 686629 > skypename touchstonecollaborationsUK > > TED Talk Cooking, Culture and Conversations > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cmWmCGEjR0&feature=em-subs_digest&list=TLOR…> talk > for TEDx Soweto > > > studio OPS > > willow court > > beeches green > stroud GL5 4BJ > > > >

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Reclaim the fields International Action camp
by frank gundry-white 29 Jul '15

29 Jul '15

Reclaim the Fields International Action Camp 2015 | | | | | | | | | | | | Reclaim the Fields International Action Camp 2015 |About the camp Reclaim the Fields (or RTF) UK was born in 2011, as a star in a wider constellation of food and land struggles that reaches around the globe. | | | | View on www.reclaimthefields... | Preview by Yahoo | | | | | International Reclaim the Fields Action Camp When: Friday 6pm 28th August - Wednesday 2nd September 2015 Where: Borras Community Protection Camp, Wales About: Reclaim the Fields UK (RTF) was born in 2011, as a star in a wider constellation of food and land struggles that reaches around the globe. Since 2011, camps and other RTF gatherings have helped support local communities in struggle, share skills, developed networks, and strengthened the resistance to exploitation, in Bristol, west London, Gloucestershire, Nottingham and Fife among other locations.Every two years there is also an international camp, where people from around Europe and beyond meet together to support a local struggle (from gold mining in Romania to open cast coal mining in Germany, for example). People share stories and ideas about resistance and reclaiming our food system beyond national borders. This year, an international gathering will be held in the Wrexham, UK.The aims of the camp are: - To support local communities in the Wales and the North West of England with their struggles against fracking - To increase participation in Reclaim the Fields - To demonstrate visible, active opposition to prison construction - To support Borras Community Protection Camp build a garden and infrastructure to become more self-reliant - To demonstrate the interconnection between these struggles - To inspire and radicalise everyone involved What is happening: - Actions – demonstrations & actions against companies involved in the construction of the North Wales prison, as well as local fracking-related targets. - Workshops & Skillshares – There will be abundant opportunities to learn, share, discuss and connect with other people. - Building & Growing on the site – Be part of installing gardens & low impact infrastructure at the community protection camp. Learn about permaculture, agroecology, forest gardening, mushroom growing, pallet construction, compost toilet making, off-grid electrics and more. Why: - This camp has been organised to support the local community in Borras to resist fracking in their area (as well as working with other local anti-fracking groups & protection camps in the North West who have been resisting extreme energy developments for a number of years). To find out more about their struggle visit: http://www.frackfreewrexham.org.uk/the-camp/ - It has also been organised to give attention to the North Wales Prison Project that is being constructed. This will be Europe’s second largest prison holding 2100 prisoners and the first of a number of ‘mega prisons’ that the UK Government wish to build. Click here for more information about the prison, why we are against it & links to articles about the prison industrial complex in the UK How to get involved: Click on the links below to find more practical information about the camp and how to get involved: - Workshops & programme – what’s happening & how to contribute - Planning Actions - Directions & public transport information - What to bring - Safer Spaces Agreement - Accessibility of the site - Food & donations This is a DIY camp and everyone is needed to get stuck in to make it happen. People are needed to: - Support with publicity before the event – sharing the gathering online, putting posters up, encouraging your local group to get involved. People are also needed to help design the programme, respond to emails & plan facilitation. - Helping with site set up & building infrastructure (planning this in advance & being on site a few days before the gathering) - Signing up to a shift over the weekend to help with cooking, site set up & safety, being on the welcome tent & so forth - Supporting local groups to organise actions If you can help with any of these tasks please email info(a)reclaimthefields.noflag.org.uk Spread the word: - Poster design here: http://reclaimthefields.noflag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/RTF-Camp-2… - Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/560637597407933/

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Growing Soil Sat 1wst August: SoilCulture@create Bristol
by Biodynamic Association 29 Jul '15

29 Jul '15

Dear Soil Hack Group - A warm invite to this great day which is part of the much bigger SoilCulture@Create <http://www.touchstonecollaborations.com/soil-culture-create/>- look forward to seeing you there and talking about how you grow your soil! Jessica (BDA Office) -- The Biodynamic Association Re-Thinking Agriculture with 90 Years of Vital Soil Vital Food Tel: 01453 759501 ( Mon - Fri 9-1) Email: office(a)biodynamic.org.uk www.biodynamic.org.uk --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

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