Welcome to Her Land!
Welcome to the first Her Land newsletter, featuring a little bit about the project, a round-up of what we’ve been up to on the site recently, what’s coming up and how you can get involved.
We are creating a space where women and girls can learn the skills needed to heal and care for both themselves and the land.
Find out more here.
What we've been up to...
In November, we launched Thriving In Nature volunteering sessions. With the help of 21st Century Thame, a team of volunteers have braved all weathers to plant hedges, prepare our syntropic agroforestry field (more below), clear brambles and create space for our new caravan! Sessions are continuing every Tuesday and the fourth Sundays of the month. A big thank you to those of you that have been involved so far and to Oxfordshire Community Foundation for funding.
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All about... Syntropic Agroforestry
The volunteers have been working hard to prepare what will become our syntropic agroforestry field – a fascinating and ancient farming method that sees plants working in synergy to create the perfect growing conditions. It replicates the natural process of ecological succession, with complementary plants forming ‘layers’ that allow them just the right amount of space and light.
We’ve been working with Edge Landscaping who have been showing us how to grow food using the method, and our first rows of trees are in the ground! Watch this space for more updates on progress.
This project is funded by a grant from Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment – a big thank you to them for their support.
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Thriving in Nature Taster Session
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Thriving in Nature Taster Session
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Thriving in Nature Taster Session
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Thriving in Nature Taster Session
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Plant of the month...
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
In each newsletter, we’ll be focussing on a plant that we’re cultivating at the site. Having planted hundreds of hawthorn saplings to create what we hope will become a blossoming hedgerow in years to come, it seemed like the most obvious to start with!
This common hedging plant grows clusters of stunning white and pink blossom that appears in May, turning into dark red fruits known as ‘haws’ in the summer. It’s extremely valuable to wildlife, supporting hundreds of species such as caterpillars, small mammals, bees and other pollinating insects. The haws are rich in antioxidants and are eaten by migrating birds and the dense, thorny foliage makes it fantastic for nesting.
The young leaves, flower buds and young flowers are all edible. They can be added to green salads and grated root salads, while the haws can be used to make jellies, wines and ketchups.
Did you know? Hawthorn was the pagan ancestor of the Maypole with its leaves and flowers the source of May Day garlands and appearing in the wreath of the Green Man.
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Book of the month...
For each newsletter, we'll be asking a Her Land volunteer to recommend a book that they've enjoyed and that links to the Her Land vision and project. This month it's Her Land founder Clare's choice:
If Women Rose Rooted, by Sharon Blackie
“A life-changing journey from the wasteland of modern society to a place of nourishment and connection.
Sharon Blackie leads women on a quest to find their necessary and unique place in the world, drawing inspiration from the wise and powerful females in her native mythology, and guidance from contemporary women who have re-rooted themselves in land and community and taken responsibility for shaping the future.”
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“And if we rise up rooted, like trees...well then, women might indeed save not only ourselves, but the world"
— Sharon Blackie
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