Flax-to-Linen
Community Grow Project
Our goals are to:
Raise awareness of flax as a textile natural fiber crop in Michigan.
Assess its growth potential and qualities throughout the state.
Build local community support to help revitalize the flax industry as a sustainable natural fiber in North America.
Grow our community—touch a part of the textile process, from soil to fiber, while connecting with other folks.
Watch our community conversation
From Flax Seed to Fiber with the Michigan Fibershed Project
at the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo AADL 2025
Participate in the 2026 Project
We invite you to learn about local flax farming and linen production. We will cover all steps, from growing flax to hand processing with beautiful new equipment handmade by talented folks in our Michigan Fibershed.
When you sign-up, participate in three Growers Meetings: #1 Planning, Prepping, Planting (April), #2 Harvesting (June), and #3 Processing/Closing (August).
Fiber flax seed will be provided to growers.
We ask for a donation to help defray the costs of our bulk seed order and shipping them to you. Suggested $5 (student) / $10 (community member).
Growing not required to participate!
Curious and want to learn more? Join the:
Flax to Linen Grower Info Meetings -
Growers Meeting #1: Planning, Prepping, and Planting - 2026 Meeting will be recorded for digital viewing in the future
Join us to receive planting instructions to start growing. We'll guide you through the initial steps of this rewarding journey. Growing not required to participate. Come to learn as you wish!
Meeting: Zoom (Click here for meeting link at the meeting time) Tuesday, April 7th 2026: 7 - 8:30 PM
Passcode: flax2026
Meeting ID: 93777574957
** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!
Growers Meetings #2: Harvesting and Retting Discussion - 2026 Meeting will be recorded for digital viewing in the future
Join us to receive information on harvesting and options for next steps for your flax plants. We will cover signs for when to harvest the flax plants and basic methods for retting and their general results. Growing not required to participate. Come to learn as you wish!
Meeting: Zoom (Click here for meeting link at the meeting time) Tuesday, June 16th, 2026: 7 - 8:30 PM
** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!
Passcode: flax2026
Meeting ID: 95214949338
In-Person Processing Event: Retted Flax Processing, Project Close-up, and Next Steps
Join us to get hands-on experience processing flax plants using historically referenced processing tools beautiful hand crafted by community members. This will be a demonstration of the first step in converting the plants to fiber arts material. A portion of hand processed line flax and flax tow are the outputs you can achieve from this meeting. Growing not required to participate. Come to learn as you wish!
Date (Coming Soon): Late Summer - Stay Tuned
** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!
Ready to grow? Sign-up here
PAST EVENTS
2026 Flax to Linen Meetings -
Pre-Season Info Session 2026: Intro to the Michigan Fibershed Flax to Linen Project & What to Expect- 2026 Meeting will be recorded for digital viewing in the future
Join for more information about the project and how to participate. Growing not required to participate. Come to learn as you wish!
Watch Past Meeting Recording Here! Tuesday, March 17th 2026: 7 - 8:30 PM
** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!
2025 Flax to Linen Meetings -
Informational Session 2025: We discussed the Flax Grow project, Michigan Fibershed, and opportunities to get involved.
Growers Meeting #1: Prepping and Planting
Growers Meetings #2: Harvesting and Retting Discussion
Meeting was virtual, but also was held later on **at Brother Nature Produce with Noble Seed Fellowship in Detroit**
Growers Meetings #3: Processing, Project Close-up, and Next Steps
November 16th 2025
** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!
