CCRI are leading the social science aspects of an integrated catchment management project, which is exploring ways of co-designing citizen-led science for both water and soil health monitoring.
On the soil health side, the CCRI will also be helping to compare three tiers of monitoring data (citizen-gathered, agronomist-gathered, and scientific) to explore their reliability, efficacy, and which can result in practical recommendations trusted by agricultural land managers.
Charlotte Chivers was recently involved in a “SoilsmARt” Citizen Science Workshop. The workshop, coordinated by West Sussex Rivers Trust, co-tested and explored the soil tests that our farmers have chosen to undertake on their farms. They will now begin monitoring their soil health, with CCRI exploring ongoing engagement and ways of developing citizen-led science projects for longevity.
The day featured a range of hands-on tools, including the VESS score, worm counts, jar test (for soil texture breakdown), soil thermometers, and Hanna test kits for NPK analysis. Working with reagents in the field had its challenges, but the group worked through them with great teamwork. Tristan from Vidacycle shared their approach to regenerative factors like water infiltration, soil texture, and VESS scores, showcasing just a few of the many indicators tracked on the Soilmentor platform.
PES Technologies demonstrated their innovative sensor, as part of the project’s exploration of new technologies. Everyone was impressed by its user-friendly design and its ability to measure 12 key soil health indicators.
Reflecting on the day, Charlotte said “what made the day truly special was how empowered each participant felt, actively contributing to the discussions and driving the event forward. It was an inspiring day filled with knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving soil health”.
