Woven Roots: The Fiber Story Project

About

The Woven Roots project grew out of the Highlander Center for Research and Education’s Appalachian Transition Fellowship. In a collaboration between Highlander, Community Farm Alliance, and Fibershed, App Fellow, Sam Hamlin began working on a project mapping out the natural fiber supply chain in central and eastern Kentucky.

Values

  • We seek to support the growth of the natural fiber sector in Kentucky as part of the Appalachian just transition movement to create vibrant and diverse economies across our region
  • We support regional ownership over textile production and seek to grow regional wealth
  • We support regenerative and sustainable textile practices and prioritize the natural fiber sector in our textile work

Goals of project

  • Map out the textile and natural fiber supply chain in central and eastern Kentucky
  • Educate farmers, artisans, processors, entrepreneurs on resources that are available across the state to assist in the success of their businesses
  • Facilitate connections across the textile supply chain to support growth of sector in the region
  • Amplify stories of Kentucky and Appalachian fiber farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs through a CFA fiber podcast and blog
  • Educate stakeholders on lessons from models of successful textile value-chain development in the South and Appalachia