Lauriston Farm, run by a workers’ cooperative in North-West Edinburgh, is dedicated to sustainable food production, biodiversity, and community. Building soil health is central to our land stewardship and food production. Chemical fertilisers disrupt the balance of soil health, degrading microbial ecosystems. Aerated Compost Teas offer a sustainable alternative, enriching soil health, enhancing plant nutrient uptake and improving yields without the harm of synthetic inputs. Despite their potential, practical guidance for integrating compost teas into commercial market gardens and the potential benefits remains limited. This project seeks to address that gap by refining recipes and protocols to make knowledge of Aerated Compost Teas production accessible and effective for growers (both commercial and at home).

Grower and Coop Director Jossie Ellis said, “We are very grateful to the RSE for supporting our project at Lauriston Farm. This funding will enable us to advance our experiments using Aerated Compost Teas in the Market Garden, which will help to improve soil health, crop resilience, and sustainable food production. With this support, we hope to refine our methodologies, share findings with growers, and contribute to a more regenerative food system.”