Free Fiber Arts Lecture: Embracing your Fibershed with the Chesapeake Fibershed

There is a major disconnect between what we wear and our knowledge of its impact on land, air, water, labor and human health. Even those who value access to safe, local and nutritious food have largely overlooked the production of fiber, dyes, and the chemistry that forms the backbone of modern textile production. While humans are 100 percent reliant on their second skin of clothing, it’s common for us to think little about the biological and human cultural context from which our clothing derives.

Over a decade ago, weaver and natural dyer Rebecca Burgess developed a project focused on wearing clothing made from fiber grown, woven and sewn within her bioregion of North Central California. From that first project, a movement has grown seeking to support new regional textile economies with deep roots in climate change prevention and soil restoration. From its humble beginnings, the “fibershed” movement took hold and today, Fibershed is a non-profit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystems and community health. Their work expands opportunities to implement climate benefitting agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of our fiber through education. Fibershed is supported by over 58 regional affiliates worldwide.

Join us for a panel discussion from the organizers of the east coast Fibershed affiliates who will be discussing the work of our local fibersheds and sustainable fiber practices. Learn why developing regional fiber systems that build soil and protect the health of our biosphere is important to us all, what fibershed projects are happening in our region, and how you can participate in the sustainable fiber movement.