New Sites Needed for Summer 2025!

Shift Bristol is excited to announce an opportunity as part of our Practical Sustainability Course, for any land-based projects seeking a comprehensive Consultancy Permaculture Design.

We are seeking sites to collaborate with between the 3rd to 18th June 2025.

Project Overview:

We aim to offer a holistic design for your project - looking at the people and land based elements within your system - building on your strengths, and making suggestions for overcoming any challenges - based on regenerative and sustainable principles observable in nature.

• Soil health and fertility: Improving soil structure and growing mediums.
• Alternative growing methods: Reducing the need for human intervention and outside resources.
• Sustainable techniques: Protecting soil health and maximising growing areas.
• Productivity and income generation: Identifying ways to increase output and generate income using local and freely available resources.
• Resource efficiency: Improving energy use and building sustainability on-site.
• Volunteer engagement: Increasing participation and its benefits for the project.
• Community outreach: Creative methods to communicate your project’s aims to the wider community, boosting visibility and connection.
• Group dynamics: Enhancing governance and decision-making processes within the project team.

At the end of the consultancy project, students will present their observations and proposed solutions either in person on 18th June or via a follow-up email/meeting.

Important Note:

Previous stakeholders who have volunteered their sites and time have reported that the experience was insightful and beneficial. However, it’s important to note that while these design projects are valuable learning opportunities for students, we cannot guarantee the specific outcomes of their designs. Each project will be reviewed by permaculture and regenerative agriculture tutor Matt Dunwell, and his feedback will also be shared with you.

Site Criteria:

We are looking for sites that meet the following criteria:

• Land Size: Ideally a large allotment or smallholding, with a maximum size of 5 acres.
• Current Use: Some or most of the land should be actively used for cultivation (e.g., herbs, vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.).
• Project status: The site should present opportunities for several areas of improvement. We welcome sites that are in development, facing challenges, or experiencing a transitional period.
• Community focus: The project should either meet a local need or benefit the surrounding community. Ideally, it should involve land cultivation and community engagement. This may include inviting others to share the space or planning to do so in the future.

What We Need from You:

• Access dates: A group of up to five students will need access to your site on the following dates: 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17 June 2025, between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Not all dates may be required, and scheduling will be arranged between you and the students.
• Soil Samples: Students will need to dig holes and take soil samples from various locations (depending on the size/variation of the land) to assess soil texture and health. They will fill in any holes dug to the best of their ability.
• Stakeholder interview: You will need to meet with our students for an interview near the beginning of the project, to discuss yourself and your project – the aims, limiting factors and challenges, resources, and everything in between.
• Work Space: A covered or sheltered area for students to collaborate and work comfortably; either on-site or within a short walking distance.
• Toilet Access: Access to a toilet; either on-site or within a short walking distance.

Additional Information:

• Selection Process: We offer a variety of sites for students to choose from. In some cases, there may be more sites than student groups, so we cannot guarantee that your site will be selected.
• Selection Notification: We will inform you of whether your site has been chosen by 22nd May.

How to Offer Your Site:

If you’re interested in offering your site for this opportunity, please email laura@shiftbristol.org.uk with the following details:

• Name of the project
• Name and contact details of the main contact person
• Location/address of the site
• A brief description of how the land is used and your broader project goals
• Any questions you may have

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to collaborate with you in creating more regenerative, community-focused projects!