Flax-to-Linen

Community Grow Project

Our goals with this project 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.

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, you can expect three Growers Meetings: #1 Planning, Prepping, Planting (April), #2 Harvesting (June), and #3 Processing/Closing (August). Additional informational sessions are listed below:

Fiber flax seed will be provided to growers. Please consider a donation to help defray these costs of our bulk seed order and shipping them to you. Suggested $10.

Curious and want to learn more? Join the:

Information Session - option of two sessions that will have the same information

We will be discussing the project and opportunities to get involved. If you have flax from last year, you can bring it to this session. Growing not required to participate. Come to learn as you wish!

Session 1: Sunday, March 23rd: 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Session 2: Sunday, March 30th: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Two options to participate:

1. Join by Zoom Meeting: https://umich.zoom.us/j/93211510610
—email us to request meeting passcode—

2. In-Person Ann Arbor Area Node: Ann Arbor District Library Downtown - Freespace Room

We will have a large meeting room set-up with the Zoom connection. This gives us a chance to share space together. We will have flax seeds on hand to distribute, as well as some dried retted flax from last season and some processing equipment to see.

** If you are interested in organizing a local node of flax growers in your region of the state, please let us know!

Ready to go? Sign-up and mark your calendar for the :

Growers Meeting #1: Planning, Prepping, and Planting & Seed Handout - option of two sessions that will have the same information

Join us to receive planting instructions and your own flax seeds 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!

Session 1: Saturday, April 5th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Session 2: Saturday, April 12th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

1. Join by Zoom Meeting: https://umich.zoom.us/j/93211510610
—email us to request meeting passcode—

2. In-Person Ann Arbor Area Node: Ann Arbor District Library Downtown - Freespace Room

Additionally, flax seeds will be available for pick-up at the Ann Arbor Fiber Expo on March 29th and 30th for your convenience. Just look out for the "Michigan Fibershed" table there.