Growing Solidarity
Growing Solidarity is a skill-sharing project offering land access and resources to marginalised members of our local community.
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 put a fairly large spanner in these works but if we couldn’t bring the people to the farm, we could certainly bring the farm to the people!
Working with Reading Refugee Support Group, we offered seeds, seedlings, soil, labour and ongoing remote guidance (you guessed it – Zoom calls) to local migrant communities in Reading, supporting them in growing their own food where they live.
If you would like to know more about the project or are interested to get involved, email us at volunteering@hempen.co.uk
What is it?
We believe that having access to land is a right, not a privilege.
We’re so fortunate to be based on the beautiful Hardwick Estate, with all the space and resources this area has to offer.
We wanted to share what we have here with those in out communities who have less access to space for growing their own food.
If you’d like to know more about the project, or are interested in getting involved, email us at volunteering@hempen.co.uk.
Space...
… not quite the final frontier
Our farm is surrounded by biodiverse woodlands and meadows, perfect for strolling through and foraging for wild plants and fungi.
We have our very own magical polytunnel, as well as open outdoor spaces for self-directed, collaborative or facilitated growing projects.
We also have a workshop area where you can design things, build them and share woodwork or metalwork knowledge with other volunteers and co-op members.
Whatever kind of land-based project you’re looking to do, we can probably work out a way to do it!
Community...
… is where the heart(s) are.
We value the knowledge that comes from sharing within communities and the exchange that happens when different communities and cultures come together.
There are lots of opportunities for communal activity on the farm, whether it’s cooking for the group, washing up after meals (rad tunes included) and eating together in between.
We all take responsibility for maintaining the common areas and working on larger building projects to improve facilities for everyone who comes to the farm.
Resilience...
… who knows what’s in store?
As bonafide hemp enthusiasts, you can probably tell that we’re keen on building connections to the natural world.
With all the amazing things we can grow and forage, nature gives us so many gifts and empowers us to provide for ourselves and our communities.
We stand within a wide network of organisations and collectives working to build alternatives to current systems.
This network has grown organically and we hope it will continue to do so, building trust through experiencing and integrating other people’s perspectives and spreading the values of solidarity, resistance and resilience
Resistance...
…because we believe things can be better for everyone!
We believe in finding long-term practical solutions to the problems we are facing as a global community.
We also know that our small actions can lead to big changes, and it is through these actions that we resist and build a better future for the generations who will come after us.
In these modern times of polarisation and disconnection, we see the land as a uniting factor that we can all come together to protect.
Growing Solidarity is one part of our mission to harness the power of hemp to heal the planet, in a way which is local and powerfully reconnecting.
Now more than ever, we need to build solidarity!
We are raising funds to support our work in the city during the crisis. We aim to continue this work in the city and at the farm as lockdown eases. Your donations go towards transport costs, and materials and a little goes a long way!
Growing Solidarity is a collaborative project that aims to build resilience in and across communities.
Alongside our Growing Solidarity project, we host other volunteering opportunities.
If you’re interested in volunteering for a few days, or on a more regular basis, find out more here.