Fall 2023 Community Meeting Notes & Resources

Piedmont Fibershed Info

Mission, background, board members

Our fiscal sponsor, Croatan Institute

Website: piedmontfibershed.org
Facebook: @piedmontfibershed
Instagram: @piedmontfibershed
Contact: info@piedmontfibershed.org

Volunteer opportunities

Join our Supporter Program

About the Meeting Venue

TS Designs, Inc.
Solid State Clothing
Native Spun
Alamance County Visitor’s Guide
Textile Heritage Museum and Historic Glencoe Mill Village

 

Our Projects:

Fiber Producer Survey/Southeast Regional Producer Mapping

Piedmont Fibershed received a Fibershed Affiliate Microgrant to quantify fiber production in the Southeastern region of the United States, centered around our region in Central North Carolina. The goal is to build on our existing Fiber Resource Directory to identify all parts of the fiber supply chain in our region and to identify gaps in the existing infrastructure. We are currently conducting a Fiber Producer Survey to find out how much and what kind of fiber is being produced in our region.

Textile, Craft, Community, and History

Textile, Craft, Community, and History was a project funded by a Durham Arts Catalyst Grant to introduce more people in Durham to the practice and history of fiber and textile crafts in our community. Piedmont Fibershed partnered with the Cultural Heritage Programs Unit of Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) to offer 10 free and low-cost craft events at historic Leigh Farm Park in Durham from March through August 2023

Fiber Resource Directory

The Fiber Resource Directory is a website compiling businesses and organizations that are part of our fibershed, such as fiber farmers, dye artists, mill owners, craftspeople, fashion designers, and many more. The Fiber Resource Directory provides a single, consolidated place for professionals, students, crafters, and others to get information on the fiber and textile resources in our region.

Workshops & Education

Piedmont Fibershed programs 8-10 workshops and events per year on topics related to local sustainable fibers and textiles—from information about shopping for sustainable clothing to skills in farming and fiber crafts. Our workshops also aim to support skilled teaching artists by fairly compensating instructors.

 

Funding Opportunities

NC AgVentures

NC AgVentures is an NC State Extension grant program that provides grants to North Carolina family farms, and community organizations such farmer associations and farm co-ops to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase farm profits. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation. Max grant amount: $8,000. Application deadline: Dec. 15th, 2023.

Building Soil, Building Equity Farmer Fund (Accelerating Appalachia)

Building Soil, Building Equity (BSBE) provides financial support, technical training in regenerative agriculture, connections to business development support, and resources to increase market growth opportunities. Farmers will be incentivized to adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) practices through an $18 million Farmer Fund with $12 million in cash incentives and $6 million in training and marketing services, including specific incentives for BIPOC producers. Priority will be given to farms of 20+ acres.