We Support (Bio)Regional Textile Networks

The UCFS supports a grassroots network that promotes the development of a regional fibre system community through education, research, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and building an inventory of materials, skills, processing equipment, expertise and knowledge within the network of farmers, mills, weavers, knitters, natural dyers and textile designers.

“Regenerative fibre farming systems, within local processing value-chains, have the potential to create economic opportunities for rural communities, by meeting the growing demand for local, sustainable textile products,” says Becky Porlier, co-founder of the UCFS. “Investing in these systems returns carbon to the soil, protects our water and foodsheds, all the while encouraging meaningful work in a highly skilled and collaborative field.”  

Regionally produced, all-natural textiles are demonstrated to reduce CO2 emissions, eliminate toxic byproducts of synthetic fabric production, discourage water pollution and encourage a culture of ethical consumption. Scalable, innovative and regionally-specific value chains have important and positive impacts on producer well-being and prosperity.  

Strong regional fiber system communities can contribute social and economic benefits to processors, aggregators, retailers and consumers and revitalize rural communities.  By supporting and connecting our community of producers, we are changing the fundamental way that textiles are produced to reflect biocentric values. Change starts in our communities of producers.

Field to Fashion from Katia Trudeau on Vimeo.

Becoming a member directly supports  a local and fair economy connecting rural and urban communities in a soil-to-soil fibre system, to protect the health and longevity of our bio-region.

The Upper Canada Fibreshed was initiated by Becky Porlier, and Jennifer Osborn after meeting at at the Rare Breeds Canada table during the Guelph Organic Conference. Independently they had both discovered the work of Rebecca Burgess’ Fibershed initiative out of California. The two discussed how to replicate a similar initiative in Canada. After drinking too much coffee it was decided to jump into the current Fibreshed model with both feet – as long as California would allow the Canadian spelling of fibre.

Photo by Jessica Bruce 

Where is the Upper Canada Fibreshed?

The Upper Canada Fibreshed (UCFS) is any producer, processor, farmer, or artisan within 400 km  of Toronto (give or take.) This distance was chosen to try to encompass as many processors and growers as possible. Although Ontario has a high population, there are relatively few fibre producers in the province, there are even fewer processors and manufacturers. To bring as many resources together as possible, the Fibreshed was made quite large. The hope is that new, even more regional fibresheds will appear.

Learn about how to participate here.

Photo by Emily Neill & Soil to Soil illustration by Andrew Plotsky