We are reviving traditional methods of natural fiber production in Ukraine for the health of the soil and the community
What do we do
Fibershed is a non-profit organization dedicated to reviving local, sustainable methods of growing and manufacturing natural fibers, such as wool, hemp, and cotton, using climate-beneficial practices that sequester carbon in the soil and result in garments with a carbon-neutral or negative footprint.
Mission & Vision
The Fibershed community originated from the need to heal working landscapes and promote sustainable practices in textile production. Founded by artisan and weaver Rebecca Burgess, the initiative aims to revitalise local methods of growing and manufacturing natural fibres.
Initially, Fibershed focused on the production of natural fibres such as wool and hemp. However, within a 150-mile radius from its centre, the organisation expanded to an international level. It brings together farmers, artisans, and consumers who support regenerative textile practices.
Today the community has grown to over 80 affiliates globally and emphasises the use of climate-beneficial practices, such as regenerative agriculture, to improve soil health and reduce environmental impact. By fostering collaboration among farmers, artisans, and researchers, Fibershed seeks to create a resilient textile system that supports both communities and ecosystems.
Fibershed Ukraine
One of our greatest values is our land. Numerous studies worldwide have shown that the overuse of monoculture farming and reliance on genetically modified seeds, chemical pesticides, and fertilizers are slowly destroying the soil’s natural ability to regenerate. These factors are gradually turning it into dead land, rendering it unproductive.
Soviet agricultural systems, focused on quantity over quality, stripped away the wisdom of traditional Ukrainian farming. This wisdom was based on biodiversity, rationality, and balance.
At Fibershed Ukraine, we are building communities that embrace traditional agricultural methods. Learning from how our ancestors practised textile production in balance with the environment that surrounded them, we create local textile production chains that benefit farmers, artisans, the land, and the people.
