Dig for Dirt

A new project with microbiologist Dr. Elze Hesse, where we'll be asking growers in the South West UK to get involved by sending in soil samples so we can understand how the bacteria living in soil affect crop growth (and vice versa).

In the South West we have a problem with soil pollution from mine waste, and we know that this can affect the crops. Bacteria are important as they can clean up the soil so the plants take up less pollution, but we don't know a lot about how this works.

We'll be looking for anyone who grows their own food at a small scale, like in the garden or at an allotment, smallholders, right up to commercial farmers. You'll get a simple sampling pack from us (with the return post paid for), and either a beautiful printed photo of your own soil bacteria once it's been grown in the lab, or a voucher for some seeds.

The project launches in 2026, but if you're already keen then send us an email and we'll get you signed up!