Background

The hedgerows have an important structural function to provide secure boundaries that aid the productivity of the land (particularly by reducing soil erosion, providing wildlife habitat and being livestock proof). They can be managed to produce their own diverse small scale crops, including fodder such as nuts and berries as well as structural material like timber, bean poles and pea sticks. They provide many valuable educational opportunities particularly in declining rural skills.

Vision

To manage the farm's hedges in a sustainable way to the benefit of the farm project, land owner and wider community and environment. The long term goal is to reinstate many of the 18th century boundaries, to be managed as traditional Devon Banks with species-rich, productive plants.

Last Year

The project's first season was the Winter of 2010/11. The priority at this time was to trial public events that were in highly accessible and visible areas. We did a lot of work along the Green Lane and around the Communal/Environmental area as this was in poor condition and represented the heart of the farm. We also started planting along the newly created bank (dividing the School Field along an old boundary). Also there was a large gap in the boundary hedging near the entrance trackway. The bank had completely fallen here, so needed to be manually rebuilt before planting.

Priorities

The project has had a very successful first year and we now have access to far more of our boundary hedging (shown blue). We've seen great regeneration in the areas of hedge worked last season (green/brown). Among the major challenges of last year were an exceptionally dry Spring and problems with livestock security. The priorities this season should help to address these issues, primarily by closing gaps at the far end of the farm and by starting a Shelter Belt to the SW of the Vegetable and Livestock fields.