Morning Session: Living Labs, Field Labs and Interactive Innovation (NBSOIL workshop)

The NBSOIL project is a Europe-wide initiative providing comprehensive training in nature-based solutions for soil advisors, where the Soil Association is leading on a module all about Living Labs (a concept similar to field labs), sharing lessons from our experience with farmer and grower-led research.

We’ll be running a workshop as a live version of this module: we will cover how to run a living lab, field lab, or research farm, and how to use co-creation and collaborative tools in soil health projects.

Afternoon Session: Innovative Farmers PGM Trials

Led by the Innovative Farmers programme, this session will provide an in-depth look at PGM (Perennial Green Manure) trials. PGMs are fertilisers made from nitrogen-rich plant material – you can find out more about the topic through our webinar here: Perennial green manures - an Innovative Farmers webinar (youtube.com)

We will introduce Innovative Farmers and the PGM trials, followed by a focused discussion for potential trial participants with the lead researcher. Meanwhile, others will have the opportunity to walk around Grow Wilder and engage in further discussions about living labs and farmer/grower-led research.

Find out more about Grow Wilder’s vision for a hub for nature-friendly food growing, wildlife gardening and social impact: Avon Wildlife Trust’s Vision for Grow Wilder (youtube.com)

Agenda

10.00-10.15am: Arrival

10.15am-12.45pm: Living Labs, Field Labs, and Interactive Innovation (NBSOIL workshop)

Introductions and get to know each other.

What are interactive innovation processes?

Why can it be useful for me as a farmer, grower, researcher, or other?

Introducing and testing methodologies.

12.45-1.15pm: Introduction to Innovative Farmers

1.15-1.45pm: Lunch (provided)

1.45-2.45pm: Demonstration and Introduction to field trial kit

2.45pm-4.30pm: Innovative Farmers PGM trial introduction. Breakouts: PGM trial session OR Grow Wilder Walk and discussion

Kick Off Day for Field Lab Facilitation