Fibershed

We're so glad you are part of our community! If you are new to Fibershed, allow us to introduce ourselves. ?? ?? Fibershed is a nonprofit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health. Our work expands opportunities to implement climate-benefiting agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of our fiber through education. We transform the economic systems behind the production of material culture to mitigate climate change, improve health, and contribute to racial and economic equity. ?? Throughout the Fibershed community, innovators are reimagining the ways in which clothing is produced, sold, used, and re-used. Sign up for our "Fibershed Forward" email series to be introduced to community members, makers, activists, growers, and leaders who are affecting change and inspiring action in the world of textiles and clothing. Through this short series, you’ll learn how you can get involved and join us in the movement to protect the health of our biosphere. Sign up here: https://buff.ly/3Pu2ztZ.

?? Policy update! Last week SB 707 (Newman), a bill that would create the first in the nation textile Extended Producer Responsibility Program (EPR), was passed by the California Legislature and headed to Governor Newsom’s desk where he has until September 30 to sign or veto. If this bill passes the final hurdle this month to become law, it will establish a new statewide program for collection, sorting, processing, repair, resale, reuse and recycling of used textiles and clothing, paid for by the producers of all textiles sold within California. The fees paid by textile producers must be set to incentivize practices and materials that help meet program goals to minimize negative environmental and public health impacts. Fibershed supports this legislation because we believe it offers us an opportunity to address the negative effects of fast fashion and hopefully, move us towards a healthier textile system from the ground up. However, it will be absolutely critical for robust public and stakeholder engagement in the regulatory implementation process to ensure there are strong environmental and social guidelines and incentive structures put in place. We need everyone to gear up and be ready to engage in the coming months and year! Read more about this legislation, Fibershed's influence, and what's ahead here. https://lnkd.in/gHa6vgnh #ExtendedProducerResponsibility #SB707 #TextileSystems

Fibershed’s Climate Beneficial? Verification program and product label work with fiber farmers, brands, and supply system partners to transition the textile industry towards fibers that heal the earth. The following values uphold the program and guide our team as we work to expand the program to additional bioregions across the US with our partners in the USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant. ?? Invested In Whole Eco(systems): Climate Beneficial? is designed to support farmers in their transition to ecologically aligned and soil-regenerating practices through holistic farm planning, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer farmer networking. ?? Equity & Farmer Focused: Climate Beneficial? incentivizes and supports farmers through premium pricing that covers the cost of practice implementation, advanced purchase commitments, and technical assistance to growers. ?? Outcome & Data Driven: The Climate Beneficial? Verification system uses on-farm soil testing, data collection, and farm visits to verify regenerative farming practices and outcomes across climate, soil, biodiversity, and water. ?? Transparent from the Farm: Climate Beneficial? is built on a connection to each farm’s place and community. The program traces fibers from the farm and out through the supply chain using a transaction certificate chain of custody model. ?? Grounded in Collaboration: We build relationships between farmers, brands, researchers, and manufacturers — working to cultivate cross-sector learning, knowledge sharing, and pre-competitive collaboration. If you are interested in sourcing Verified Climate Beneficial? fiber, reach out to our team at [email protected]. https://buff.ly/4cFSfc6

Hi all - Head of my fiber farm family, Director of NJ's Fibershed and sheep mama, Anne Choi of Middle Brook Fiberworks, is hosting a weaving workshop by- and for artisans of color. Saturday, 21 September at the The Newark Museum of Art. Go on and register at middlebrookfiberworks.com if interested, and feel free to spread the word-

Garment workers are the backbone of the fashion industry but often face unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and inadequate protections. The Fashioning Accountability and Building Real Institutional Change (FABRIC) Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that seeks to change this by ensuring fair wages, safer workplaces, and revitalizing domestic manufacturing. The FABRIC Act represents a historic opportunity to transform the US garment industry by ensuring safer working conditions and revitalizing domestic manufacturing. Introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Carolyn Maloney, this Act aims to protect nearly 100,000 American garment workers and breathe new life into our $9 billion apparel sector. Here’s how the FABRIC Act will make a difference: ?? Enforces Minimum Wage Standards: Ends wage theft and ensures fair pay. ?? Combats Factory Violations: Introduces stronger workplace protections. ?? Increases Transparency: Holds brands accountable for their practices. ?? Revitalizes Domestic Manufacturing: Supports with a multi-million dollar grant program. Support this legislation by signing the petition: https://buff.ly/3WBnjUo ?? Image courtesy of Garment Worker Center

?? Are you a BIPOC fiber farmer or rancher based in California? Apply to get up to $200k in cost share grant funding through the CDFA Healthy Soils Program + free technical assistance for your regenerative practices. Fibershed’s Healthy Soils Program Block Grant provides free technical assistance and financial resources to farmers and ranchers interested in adopting climate-beneficial agricultural management practices. Fibershed has reserved specific resources through this grant to support the work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color fiber farmers and ranchers. ?? Learn more and apply by September 20th! https://buff.ly/47dX9L4

Apparel brands, designers, and textile mills are invited to Join Fibershed for the Climate Beneficial? California Cotton Fall Farm Tour! ??? Date: October 27th (one day before the Textile Exchange Conference) ?? Location: Merced, California The tour is a hands-on, educational experience that will expand your knowledge of how to transition cotton production towards regeneration and?inspire you to develop material sourcing programs that transform your impact and the textile industry. ???? ?????? ????????, ????????????, ??????????????????, ?????? ?????????? ????????... - Explore Climate Beneficial? cotton farming practices with hands-on soil demos. - Meet Gino Pedretti, a fourth-generation farmer implementing regenerative methods. - Discover the latest soil research and measurable ecological outcomes from California farms. - Learn from the California Climate Beneficial? Coalition about building sustainable supply networks. - See products made from Climate Beneficial? cotton. - Discuss challenges and opportunities in transitioning to soil-building cotton practices. - Understand Climate Beneficial? Verification and how farm data supports brands’ sustainability and reporting. - Engage with the Pedretti farm team, participating brands, and the Climate Beneficial? team. ?? Learn more and sign up here:? https://lnkd.in/gDi3K6vW

By restoring ecosystem health, carbon farming contributes to a more resilient future for people and planet. ???? Fibershed advocates for and envisions place-based adoption of carbon farming practices that restore ecosystem health bioregionally. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3Xz5Cpa #CarbonFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateBeneficial #SoilHealth

"We need to recarbonize our soils, and we need to decarbonize our atmosphere." In this podcast episode, Fibershed Executive Director Rebecca Burgess discusses Fibershed's work and vision for the future of #RegenerativeAgriculture. Listen to the episode from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) here.

At the heart of the Fibershed movement is a global community of producers, affiliates, and advocates working toward a healthier textile future. Our shared vision emphasizes the importance of nurturing our ecosystems, fostering biodiversity, and deepening our connection to the land. Explore our latest newsletter to read the stories of several community members who embody this movement and are driving tangible change through replicable models: https://buff.ly/4g5wW5p ?? Not subscribed? Sign up to receive news and inspiration directly to your inbox! https://buff.ly/4cLcS5z