What is a fibershed? 

def. The geological landscape that defines and gives boundaries to a natural textile resource base. This area could be northern California, or a larger area like ours that encompasses Colorado and surrounding areas. 

How do we make this a reality?

First, we need to support the raw material producers and farmers in and around Colorado. Think sheep and wool farmers, cotton producers, flax growers, and natural dye harvesters. Second, we need a place to process these materials into textiles, like fiber mills. Finally, we need investment and advocacy from our community, both from businesses that could use the fiber and materials processed at mills, and customers pushing for more products created within the Mountains & Plains Fibershed.

How can you help? 

In many ways! Learning about fibersheds is step number one! Next, start thinking about the products you use everyday, from the t-shirts and sweaters you wear to the jeans on your... well, you get the idea. Do you know where the cotton used to make your tshirt and jeans came from? Do you know the name of the sheep whose wool was spun into the yarn that was used to make your favorite sweater? If the answer is "No", then we encourage you to start thinking about it and looking into it! 

Step number two could be starting to shop at small businesses that use fiber and materials from the area around them, from wool and cotton to natural dyes. 

Finally, start advocating for the products that go directly on our body and are worn all day be made from places closer to home, instead of halfway across the world, passing through countless chemical processes along the way. 

Follow us on Instagram and YouTube to get a closer look at the projects and items our producers are already making from our fibershed.