In the alleys between the strips of fruit trees, alongside lentils and cereals, and seasonal organic vegetables, Claire O'Sullivan and Kitty Wilson Brown are harvesting hemp, assisted by a small army of volunteers who have joined them for a late summer hemp harvest retreat.
There's a lot of chatter and a lot of laughter among the group of individuals drawn to the event by their shared interests in the environment, climate change, and fashion. They've come long to learn about the special qualities of hemp and how it could play a part in a more sustainable future for land use and textile production.
It's hard work. Hemp – the industrial variety grown for its woody fiber and not to be confused with the sort grown for marijuana – takes some handling. It can grow up to five meters tall, with its many clusters of leaves and flowers sprouting from long, cane-like stems; harvesting and processing require considerable physical effort. But Claire and Kitty are enjoying every moment, buoyed by an infectious energy and enthusiasm for their project.
Contemporary Hempery is the latest project to be hosted at David Wolfe's 23-hectare farm, where annual crops are integrated with trees and other perennial plants. The pair met in Cornwall when Claire, originally from Norfolk, was living there. She is a studio jeweler with an MA in entrepreneurship for creative practice, while Kitty is a textile artist and weaver who graduated with a BA at Chelsea College of Art, UAL, in June 2020.
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