News / Heart of BS13
Farm event will explore soil’s hidden life
The buzzing green haven at the heart of BS13’s community is getting all excited about soil, and they’re keen to share their passion.
Hartcliffe City Farm is inviting those curious about the mysterious world beneath our feet on a tour of their new composting project.
The team will explain how compost helps the soil to thrive and are confident that participants will never want to throw their food waste in the bin again.
is needed now More than ever
The farm’s homemade compost is used to feed their sustainable flower patch, where cut flowers are ‘grown not flown’ without chemicals – photo: Heart of BS13
“Composting links everything together,” explains Jenny Liggit, the compost bike rider who leads the project on behalf of the south Bristol Heart of BS13 social enterprise.
“We sell flowers to help fund the work we do at the farm which includes workshops, education and training opportunities, and a pay-it-forward food service for BS13 residents.
“We provide events, youth clubs and holiday clubs for families and work with locals to tackle climate issues.
“From all this spawned our composting micro-enterprise. We take flowers from the farm so we need to put something back in the ground to help the soil. Composting food waste is one of the most important things we can do to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
The compost system is ‘a closed-loop club, where waste becomes nourishment and community resilience blossoms’ says Climate Action programme manager Kirsty Hammond.
It is the foundation of Heart of BS13’s Community Climate Action project, part of the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership programme.
Domestic food waste is combined with other organic matter such as dead plants and leaves, along with the bugs and worms that feast on this waste.
When it is broken down, the resulting compost can be added to soil to make it more nutritious for plants. The improved structure also means water is absorbed more easily, so preventing flooding.
At the farm visitors of all ages can get involved in apple pressing, tree planting, growing veg, cooking and creative activities – photo: Heart of BS13
“We bring food waste back from our local community to the farm by e-cargo trike,” Jenny continues.
“This means it doesn’t end up in landfill where it would produce methane emissions which are 28 times worse than carbon emissions for global heating.
“Healing our soils helps plants to take carbon from the atmosphere, as well as supplying food for the bottom of the food chain. In this way we’re supporting all the nature around us to flourish.”
At the event on March 28 visitors will help to turn the compost in the project’s specialist machine, before loading it into bays where it will rot down.
They will be offered the chance to get up close and personal with creatures present in the soil, and to visit the flower farm to see the results of the compost in action.
Jenny encourages people to come along. “We want to spread the word on the importance of community climate action!” she says.
“I’m not just collecting waste. I’m empowering our community and families to make a positive impact. I am so proud of the work we do in BS13, demonstrating how we can all help to support a healthier environment.”
Find more details of the compost tour and booking information here: www.heartofbs13.org.uk/event/community-compost-tour-2
Main photo: Mark Simmons
This piece of independent journalism is supported by the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
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