Talia Chain
Talia Chain founded Sadeh, the UK's Jewish farm and land-based community in 2017. As the director, Talia's role includes working on the land, teaching on Sadeh Farm's fellowship programme, running education and volunteer sessions and fundraising for Sadeh's environmental and educational projects. She is currently raising £100,000 for Sadeh Farm to increase access to nature for all.
Describe the nature around you at the moment
There are apples everywhere at the moment. Some still on the trees, others in crates all around me - going into the apple press for cider - and some being given as treats to the chickens. The trees are still full and green but reds, browns and yellows dot the hedgerows as Autumn comes.
What lessons have you learned from nature?
Nature, and us humans as part of nature, always find a way. Sometimes we grow out of the cracks. Every day I see the yarrow in flower, growing out of a teaspoon of soil on the edge of the concrete car park, just outside my door.
How does Sadeh Farm inform your connection to nature?
In most ways, Sadeh Farm is my connection to nature. My Jewish heritage, nature, my ancestry, myself, the oak tree and the ash tree outside my window - it is here these parts of me intermingle.
How can nature heal ourselves and our communities?
The inequality of access to the outdoors, to green spaces, to fresh vegetables, to resting in a park, is stark. We must ensure all have access to these things so that everyone can get the rest that nature demands for healing and that we all so desperately need.
Name a TV series, film, podcast or documentary that blew your mind.
Landed part 2: Re-storytelling the landscape by Farmerama Radio (Parts 1 - 4 are also great!) I have listened to it multiple times.
What kind of ancestor would you like to be?
One who has spent time healing her wounds and those of her ancestors, ideally!
Which rituals do you practise to keep you grounded?
Luckily, my Jewish heritage provide me with so many rituals! One of my favourites is morning prayer, outside as much as possible. Prayer can be a loaded word but I would describe our practice as community singing, someone bringing a poem they like and time spent in silence.
What question would you like to ask the next person on #TNK?
How do you connect to nature in winter? A lot of people find winter difficult and I always want to hear new ways to connect people to the outdoors during the winter season - to keep the spirits up!
What initiative have you heard of recently that you'd like everyone to support?
Cheekily, I would love everyone to support us and our fundraiser! There are so many amazing organisations out there and you should definitely check out Land in Our Names who do essential work.
Could you suggest someone else or other organisations you admire that we could approach for #TheNatureKind
Leah Penniman at Soul Fire Farm. I am such a massive fan.