New Sites Needed for Spring 2025!

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for land-based projects looking to enhance the productivity and vitality of their land!

Shift Bristol is seeking land-based sites to host our Growth & Abundance design projects, which will take place from 30th April to 7th May 2025, as part of our Practical Sustainability Course.

Project Overview:

The goal of this project is for students to observe and assess the current growing activity on your site and develop an action plan/design to suggest improvements aligned with the objectives of your project. These may include methods for:

• Enhancing soil health, fertility, and structure.
• Exploring alternative growing methods to reduce human interaction and the need for external materials or resources.
• Implementing techniques that protect soil health and maximise growing areas.
• Identifying ways to boost productivity and income by utilising resources freely or cheaply available from the land.
• Offering suggestions for improved communication between collaborators (sometimes helping people work more efficiently and joyously together, is a key to a more productive land-site).

Following the workdays on 30th April & 6th May, the students will present their observations and recommendations to you, either in person during the presentation day on 7th May, or through 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.).
• Need for Improvement: The site should have areas in need of improvement in productivity (e.g., you wish to grow more of the same or introduce greater diversity).
• Community Focus (optional): If your land also serves a community benefit, this will be considered a bonus.

What We Need from You:

• Access: A group of up to five students will need access to your site on 30th April and preferably also on 6th May, between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
• 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 on 30th April 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.
• Community Focus: Sites with a community benefit are prioritised over those solely focused on private use.
• Selection Notification: We will inform you of whether your site has been chosen by 24th April.

How to Offer Your Site:

If you are interested in offering your site, please email laura@shiftbristol.org.uk with the following information:

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

We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can work together to make your land even more abundant!