Our approach is grounded in a theory of change that centers both individual and collective action, all towards the aim of creating more conscientious consumers, increased opportunity for domestic textile production, and reduced impact on climate change from the textile industry. Conscientious consumers drive the political and economic engines that support sustainable environmental practices.

Our approach to education includes the following programs:

1. We are building K-12 curriculum that focuses on sustainability, regionality, and the historic role of textiles in both indigenous and colonized Pennsylvania.

2. We work to lead and support the development of out-of-school time activities (clubs, summer camps, field trips, etc.) that center increased knowledge transfer related to textiles.

3. Our Ambassador Program will seek to provide education, understanding, and community coalition building on college and university campuses. This program builds a dynamic community by actively initiating meaningful conversations and programming related to Pennsylvania's local fiber supply chain, to help create a sustainable, equitable and circular textile industry.

4. We are developing a Workforce Development Program to work with both high school and college-aged students, returning citizens, and veterans  in pairing them with apprenticeships throughout the textile supply chain in Pennsylvania.

5. We are facilitating the development of a Fibershed Certification Course for educators, individuals, and industry professionals will include learning tools aligned with national content standards, advancing understanding of how textiles have evolved throughout the United States.

6. We lead the Fibershed Bast Fiber Working Group to share education about bast fibers (hemp and flax), building on our collective knowledge to advance the industry toward the shared goal of creating a thriving circular textile economy in the United States. We curate guest speakers to provide insights into bast fiber systems and work to reintroduce them to Pennsylvania.

We support industry development by identifying supply chain gaps and working with partners to address them. Through our workforce development program, we match apprentices with key positions to fill these gaps and offer hands-on experience. We also educate and inspire young people to pursue careers in the industry, ensuring a sustainable future with a skilled workforce.

We provide resource lists and educational tools to help key stakeholders and the public access and engage with our local supply chain. We also organize networking events, educational workshops, and farm tours to foster collaboration across the industry.

☑︎ Facilitate connections between local fiber farmers, textile manufacturers, and designers.

☑︎ Match sustainably minded designers with local farmers and manufacturers who share similar values.

☑︎ Foster collaboration among sustainable designers to share resources and drive positive change.

☑︎ Connect fiber farmers, textile, and clothing manufacturers, and designers experiencing financial challenges with investors and other funding opportunities .

We advocate for policies that support the rebuilding of a sustainable, equitable, and circular domestic fiber and textile industry. This includes advocating for organic and regenerative agriculture, supporting living wages, demanding traceability and accountability, and working to reduce textile waste.

We foster connections within the local supply chain to support the creation and implementation of sustainable and circular business practices.

We encourage business relationships grounded in cooperation, generosity, fairness, integrity, compassion, and respect for nature, all people, and other species.

Our work supports small businesses facing financial challenges within Pennsylvania's fiber and textile supply system, enabling them to jointly source goods. This provides them with the opportunity to access resources that might be financially out of reach when pursued individually. By collaborating with other businesses and individuals, participants can collectively afford and acquire the necessary materials and supplies, fostering a more sustainable and economically viable approach to their operations. This shared sourcing model enhances the overall resilience and competitiveness of the market, increasing the demand for natural fibers.