At the heart of our recent collaborative Northern England Fibreshed event with Pasture for Life, was the celebration of regenerative farming—a holistic approach that focuses on revitalising and enhancing the entire farm ecosystem. Regenerative farming is not just about producing high-quality fibres but is about deeply nurturing the land, promoting biodiversity, and improving soil health.
Pasture for Life gathered farmers from our region who are passionate and interested in farming in this way, for an event instigated by project manager, Rob Bunn with mentor (and NEF coordinator) Mark Palmer. They heard presentations from Fibreshed lead Justine Aldersey-Williams who spoke about the origins of the UK Fibreshed movement and her work helping reintroduce native textile crops during the Homegrown Homespun and Woman Grows Jeans projects, Zoe Fletcher who studied British Wool breeds for her PhD and has since established The Wool Library to support both farmers and brands who want to work with the fibre, and Edward Sexton of Glencroft, a local Yorkshire company offering fully traceable woollen knitwear through their Clapdale Wool Project.
The event also hosted Kate Stalker from knitwear label and studio OUBAS in Cumbria and Ali Sharman and Carole Bowman, natural fibre spinners and weavers who were demonstrating and showcasing their regional textiles.
The event opened up conversations between textile practitioners and the farming community; serving as a platform to bridge the gap between those who cultivate the raw materials and those who transform them into beautiful, sustainable products.
Key Conversations Included:
Through these conversations, the event not only celebrated the value of natural fibres but also reinforced the collective commitment to a sustainable future in the industry.
Pasture for Life Principles:
‘Grazing animals on 100% pasture brings positive impacts for biodiversity and carbon, human health and wellbeing, and animal health and welfare. Pasture for Life works on the ground, every day, to restore ecosystems, implement positive change in our food and farming systems, and demonstrate the benefits of 100% pasture fed’.
Holistic Nature of Pasture for Life Grazing:
Pasture for Life embraces a holistic grazing approach that aligns perfectly with regenerative principles. This method focuses on:
Through these practices, we are not only producing exquisite textiles, but also contributing to a positive, symbiotic future. Fibreshed’s commitment to using the finest natural fibres aligns with these values, ensuring that every piece we craft is a testament to the beauty of nature and the importance of responsible stewardship.
Written by Kate Stalker of Oubas Knitwear
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