Healthy soils are the foundation of any sustainable food system. Yet those who steward land are often disconnected – even excluded – from the processes of researching and learning about how to assess soil health and condition. This session will bring together three initiatives that are developing new ways to engage with soils and create knowledge about them, each in their own way taking seriously the need to retain ownership over the knowledge and practice of soil monitoring. The three initiatives are Soilmentor, an app designed by and for farmers to monitor soil health; a nascent and developing ‘Community Soil Clinic’; and a project promoting the use of weeds as ‘bioindicators’ of soil condition. Each presenter will offer their experiences of creating a DIY culture of soil research and learning, as well as the challenges involved in going it alone.