Farm to Furniture: Exploring Regenerative Systems
Join us for Farm to Furniture, an inspiring and unique event hosted on the only certified organic wool farm and small-scale fiber mill in Pennsylvania. Experience an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of Willow Creek Farm Preserve’s fiber mill. Explore natural fibers local to PA while learning about the positive impacts of supporting local supply chains.
This collaborative event, brought to you by PA Fibershed, Common Object Studio, and Willow Creek Farm Preserve, will explore these exciting possibilities through a dynamic panel discussion, farm and mill tour and design exhibit.
During this gathering, participants will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, network with peers, and discover innovative strategies to enhance sustainability within their industries.
Together, we aim to foster a more resilient and eco-friendly approach to furniture production, benefiting both our communities and the environment, while exploring a working Certified Organic Sheep farm and small-scale wool mill.
Don't miss this chance to be part of the movement towards a greener and more sustainable future in the furniture industry.
During this event, participants will:
Tour the only organic sheep farm and small-scale mill in Pennsylvania
Meet pasture-raised Shetland sheep and see how fiber is processed into yarn
Learn how to support and source from local supply chains
Explore materials that can be used for furniture, design, and architectural applications
Network with industry professionals and experts
Enjoy a nutritious catered lunch
Event Itinerary:
10:30 am-11:00 am | Welcome and Coffee
11:00 am-12:00 pm | Panel Discussion & Q&A: Farm to Furniture: Exploring Regenerative Systems
12:00 pm-1:30 pm | Lunch + Working Session
1:30 pm-3:00 pm | Farm and Mill Tour, Materials + Product Exhibition and Exploration
3:00 pm -3:30 pm | Networking with industry professionals and panelists
Panel Discussion:
Explore the transformative potential of the furniture industry in our engaging panel discussion, "Can Furniture Be Regenerative?" This session will bring together leading experts and innovators to discuss how regenerative practices can be integrated into furniture design, production, and supply chains.
Panelists will explore topics such as sustainable material sourcing, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and the creation of closed-loop systems that prioritize environmental health. Attendees will gain insights into how the furniture industry can move beyond sustainability to actively restore and rejuvenate natural ecosystems.
Join us to discover how regenerative principles can revolutionize the way we approach furniture, fostering a more harmonious relationship between industry and the environment.
Meet the Panelists:
Justin Beitzel
Common Object—co-founded by Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez—is a product development studio focused on sustainability and community building. Their vision is a world where people thrive, ecosystems are balanced, and objects are inherently good. The studio aims to propel organizations toward sustainability through scalable reinventions of systems, supply chains, and design outcomes. Their passion project, Okaterra, is an experiment in regenerative furniture design.
Justin Beitzel, a Baltimore-based designer, brings a deep understanding of the intersection of sustainable agriculture and design to Common Object. His work ranges from collaborating with large furniture companies to individual farmers growing regenerative wool and hemp. Justin’s experimentation with materials and processes fuels his creativity and vision.
Rachel Higgins
Rachel Higgins, a passionate advocate for circular fashion, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sustainable fashion movement. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design & Merchandising from Drexel University and a Master's Degree of Professional Studies in Business of Fashion from LIM, she is well-prepared to drive change in the fashion industry.
Rachel's journey began with the creation and successful sale of her own children's clothing brand, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit. Her dedication to fashion education led her to a teaching position in the Design & Merchandising Program at Drexel University, where she imparts her insights and passion to the next generation of fashion professionals.
In addition to her role at Drexel, Rachel plays a crucial part in the Philadelphia fashion community. She leads the Sustainability Committee for the Philadelphia Fashion and Garments Task Force, contributing to sustainability initiatives in the local fashion industry. As a co-founder of PA Fibershed, she is instrumental in advancing sustainable and circular fashion practices, making a lasting impact on the industry and the community.
Andrew Smith
Dr. Andrew Smith is responsible for administrating, facilitating, and implementing farm operations and research activities at the Rodale Institute main campus and seven other production and research campuses in the US and Europe.
With over twenty-five years of experience working in the organic industry as an agronomist, researcher, and farmer, Dr. Smith is passionate about providing science-based solutions to farmers and expanding the number of regenerative organic farmers and farmland across the globe.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in agronomy at Cornell University, a Master of Science in entomology at the University of Maryland, and his Ph.D. at Drexel University in environmental science with a concentration in molecular and population ecology.
Dr. Smith is the co-owner of Willow Creek farm Preserve.
Don’t miss out on this unique, interactive experience! Limited spots are available, so purchase your ticket today!
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our event sponsor Lightly for their generous support of this event.
If you or your organization are interested in joining us as a sponsor and contributing to this exciting event, please reach out to Hello@pafibershed.org for more details.