Before the idea of the formal nonprofit (Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary) was born, the Cavanaugh family held a monthly Potluck/Bonfire that included music, story-telling and dance. Everyone always had a lot of fun and they continued for about three years. spiral dance music at the bonfire young people's drama, story-telling and games Though I've had some health issues and life transitions over these last several years, creating the ...
Back in 2016, I attended a workshop with Dan Kittredge of the Bionutrient Food Association. This workshop is one of the many ways I've educated myself over the years in sustainable food production, with a focus on ecosystem regeneration. Part of the mission of the BFA is "educating growers in the logistics of creating healthier soil ecosystems." Brennah weeding in the hoophouse, green onions, and lettuce After taking the workshop and sending in ...
Crossing Hedgerows Farm is the Cavanaugh family farm which is adjacent to the Sanctuary land. It is currently also being shared with the community as part of the nonprofit mission. So sometimes you will see us refer to "Crossing Hedgerows Farm and Sanctuary". One of the aspects of the farm is the hoop house. It is a 30'x72' structure that we use for year-round growing and we keep some of our chickens in it during the winter ...
There are many non-human creatures that also enjoy the trails at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Here are a few of their tracks that Brennah Cavanaugh photographed the other day. These are turkey, coyote, and some tiny rodent - perhaps a mouse. We've seen quite a lot of other kinds of footprints as well. It's certainly a joy to provide a habitat where plenty of wild things are able to find refuge. Many Blessings from ...
Happy Imbolc to those who celebrate! As we start to look towards the coming of spring and the preparations needed for our upcoming projects, it was wonderful to gather on a snowy winter day to talk and share together. chatting in the back field As we say farewell to the season of Samhain, I am having a look at Caitlin Matthews' suggested activities for the coming Imbolc months (she is the author of ...
Growing up as the daughter of a minister, I lived and breathed the Church, and was an active member in many ways. For me, the vision of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary is as a similar institution. Meaning that it is bigger than any one person, or particular leadership. The vision that the Sanctuary Board has put forth is one that allows for a long-standing organization that can last for generations. yew tree berries - photo by ...
This past Thursday we had another of our community gatherings, which previously were our workdays, but lately have turned into bonfires and walks in the woods. It seems fitting for those of us who have worked at the Sanctuary throughout the year, to have some down time together. We are looking forward to our member Walk and Talk coming up this Sunday. We do have a few people signed up, ...
We’ve been working on an earthworks project at the sanctuary to manage the annual flooding. We want to manage the water in such a way as to be able to store it for the dry season rather than simply draining it all away. Instead it will go through a system of little rain gardens and overflow into a one acre pond when it floods. If the pond gets too full there will be a spillway to allow ...
The wood mulch we've been waiting for has finally started rolling in. This is a resource we're able to get for free from tree service companies when they're working in the area. We were promised some earlier this fall, but for some reason they ended up dumping it elsewhere. But now, our township is trimming the trees along all the area roads and has said they will bring the mulch from this project to us. ...
Tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Work song, part 2: a vision If we will have the wisdom to survive, To stand like slow-growing trees On a ruined place, renewing, enriching it, If we will make our seasons welcome here, Asking not too much of earth or heaven, then a long time after we are dead The lives our lives prepare will live Here, their houses strongly placed Upon the valley ...
Back in November of 2019, we celebrated the official beginning of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary as a nonprofit. In the year prior, the board members had gone through a course on Effective Collaboration together which helped us craft our vision and mission statements, as well as learn how to work together as a group. It gave us a firm foundation for going forward, and we made the leap to go through the process of becoming a nonprofit. We ...
It seemed like it would be nice to share a colorful summertime photo, to remind us of warmer days right about now. This was in our pollinator garden last summer, and the poignancy of the butterfly going about its business with its frayed wings struck me as how many of us are feeling these days. What thoughts does it bring up for you? Is there anything you'd like to share? Butterfly on Zinnia - photo ...
Is it better for people to leave nature completely alone whenever possible? There's a common conception that nature would be better without humans. It's true that some of our activities are insanely more destructive than any other animal, but we also have an incredible power to do good and to help regeneration to occur. That's one of the things we're striving for here at the Sanctuary. There is a saying that knowledge without action is ...
As we start the fresh new year of 2021, I would like to thank each of you for your incredible support of the vision and mission of Crossing Hedgerows Farm and Sanctuary. We could not exist without our community. For all the ways, large and small that you have contributed, it is very much appreciated. Crossing Hedgerows Farm - Autumn 2020 May this year bring us all many blessings and may we have ...
Pictured above is part of the main access lane we were able to put in this year. Though we want to keep the majority of the area as natural as possible with only foot paths, we also needed to have a large enough trail to allow for a vehicle when necessary. Oh... and if you look closely, you might just see some coyote and rabbit tracks in this photo. ~ Jean
The Cavanaugh house and farm sits on a 5 acre parcel of land, and then we have another separate parcel of 13 acres that has been designated as the Sanctuary land. We (Cavanaughs) don't get out to walk the entire Sanctuary parcel every day, but we try to make a round at least once a week to the majority of it. No two walks are ever the same (as those who enjoy taking nature walks are certainly ...
Sunset at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Beannacht / Blessing On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window and the ghost of loss gets in to you, may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue come to awaken in you a meadow of delight. When the canvas ...
Oak tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Song of Life by Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889) A traveller on a dusty road Strewed acorns on the lea: And one took root and sprouted up, And grew into a tree. Love sought its shade at evening-time, To breathe its early vows; And Age was pleased, in heights of noon, To bask beneath its boughs. The dormouse loved its dangling twigs, The birds ...
Continuing the theme of water, it's exciting to see that the "pond" is starting to ice over. Although it's still only the beginnings of the pond that we have planned, it's already a fairly significant body of water nevertheless. And it makes it really easy to envision what it will be like when it's finished. Pond Construction 2020 This week we had the survey done that was required by EGLE for us to ...
The north branch of the Swan Creek flows through Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary and continues all the way to Lake Erie. Swan Creek is Eala Sruthán in Gaelic. We originally had used that name for our farm, but nobody could pronounce it, so we eventually settled on Crossing Hedgerows. But to us (the Cavanaughs), the creek is still Eala Sruthán. This is how it looks today with the new fallen snow and rabbit prints all along the edge. ...