Growing Flax For A Resilient Food And Fibre Industry
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Growing Flax For A Resilient Food And Fibre Industry

Simon Cooper Monday, 1 March 2021

Simon Cooper, co-owner of Flaxland in the Cotswolds, UK and farmer of linseed and flax, explains what the benefits of growing flax are for the purposes of increasing resilience, building biodiversity and nourishing both soil health and our health. 

Simon also works wood and is crafty with materials and uses his skills and knowledge to create composite fibre canoes out of his own fibre and oil. He and his wife Ann conduct workshops to increase awareness around the flax cottage industry, from growing to weaving, and the additional products you can get from this magnificent heritage crop.

Thumbnail image: Ian Paterson on www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk

In this video you'll learn:

  • About flax fibres - how the plant is grown and the fibres are harvested, and how they are processed to produce linen cloth
  • About Flaxland and their work in reviving flax production in the UK
  • What the benefits of growing flax are for UK agriculture, our health and the fashion and textile industry
  • How linen stacks up to hemp fabrics
  • What innovations are currently taking place in flax growing and processing - and why flax is the fibre to watch according to UK universities and research groups 

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