Dig for Dirt

A new soil citizen science project!

We're looking for growers and farmers in Cornwall and Devon to get involved by sending in soil samples to help microbiologist Dr. Elze Hesse understand how bacteria interact with mining pollution and crop growing/farming. Find out more and sign up here.

Soil is one of our most vital natural resources. In our area, mining has left behind toxic waste which now pollutes our soil. This damages soil health, putting local ecosystems and our health at risk. Naturally occurring bacteria in our soils interact with pollution from mine waste, and might help clean it up.

We're looking for anyone who grows their own food or farms livestock - in a garden, an allotment, a smallholding, or a commercial farm of any scale. 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.