Citizen Science in Action: A Day at The Kindling Farm

Hello there, Karen here reporting on a fantastic day I had recently that I'm sure will be of interest to our Village Greens Community. I spent the day at The Kindling Farm taking part in their Citizen Science Day. Citizen science is a collaborative approach to research where members of the public contribute data, observations, or analysis to scientific projects, often helping to expand knowledge in areas. One well known example is The Big Garden Birdwatch by the RSPB.

For those unaware of The Kindling Farm, just like Village Greens, it is community-driven. It was purchased in April 2023 with the help of around 800 community shareholders, who continue to play an active role in its development and success. Situated in Knowsley, Merseyside, the Kindling Farm is developing a blueprint for the future of farming with a focus on ecological sustainability, economic resilience, and social inclusivity.

If you want to learn more follow these links (the story of the farm is really interesting!):

Farm video | The Kindling Trust

Our Vision for the Farm | The Kindling Trust

To return to my story, the visit was for the Kindling Farm's first ever Citizen Science Day. The aim of the day was to be able to observe and demonstrate the farm’s transformation into a more wildlife and climate friendly space. Volunteers were invited to help with a variety of activities, supported by those in the know from the University of Manchester, the farm's Biodiversity Working Group and experienced farm members.

The day began with brews and biscuits and a lovely round of introductions. There seemed to be around 20 of us, eager to learn something new and to be able to support this fantastic project. After some health and safety advice and the purpose of the day explained to us we were presented with the activities planned. There were lots to choose from: setting up a weather station, conducting surveys using technology, testing water from the ponds and brook, setting up a moth trap to identify moths and finally, counting worms. I joined the worm counting team, being a veggie gardener myself making me a big fan of worms!

In our small teams we sat in various fields digging out a cube of earth 20cm by 20cm and breaking it apart to count the worms. Happily chatting away as we did so, we learnt so much about our fellow volunteers and their experiences at the farm. What an amazing group of people! Breaking for lunch we all ate alfresco, lining the sides of a long table set up in the courtyard with tablecloths, vases of flowers and jugs of lemon water. We had delicious veggie soup whilst we swapped stories about all of our interesting finds. There was mention of a voles nest and of a Grasshopper Warbler, which is a small bird that does a great vocal impression of a grasshopper.

At the end of the day when we reassembled, after all of the worms were safely returned to the ground, we were very pleased to hear that, compared to when the worm experiment had been done the year earlier, there were many more worms, in fact, the number had almost doubled. This could mean that there is improved soil fertility and levels of chemicals left as a legacy from the previous farm's practices have reduced. More worms mean that the soil structure will be improved and decomposition of organic matter will be better. They also indicate more biodiversity will be present within the soil and can help store carbon. Great news!

The whole day was a pleasure, from start to finish. The team are so welcoming and their passion is infectious. I went on a tour of the farm not long after it had been acquired and to see how far they have come and to hear how they are engaging with their community and other like-minded businesses to achieve their vision, was amazing. I can't wait to see all of their plans come into fruition.

I hope to be returning to get involved again. There are lots of things to do, just take a look at their list of events, maybe there's something there for you! I highly recommend it.

Thanks so much for reading, and for your own support of our wonderful community shop! Organisations like The Kindling Farm and Village Greens play a vital role in strengthening local networks, fostering resilience, and creating meaningful change. By backing these projects, you help build a foundation of shared values, promote sustainability, and ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping the future. Together, we are making a lasting impact, and your contribution truly makes a difference in the lives of individuals and the community as a whole.

Karen