The future of farming is THREADS
At THREADS, we’re starting a revolution to create a better future for farmers, the people of Michigan, and the planet.
By cultivating durable, fibrous crops like flax, farmers from Bad Axe to Berrien Springs can produce the materials we need to remove plastics from the fabric industry and keep microplastics out of our water supply.
THREADS.umich.edu
About Us
Who are we?
THREADS is a collaborative of researchers, educators, farmers, industry leaders, and community organizations that innovates around the soil-to-soil cycle to develop real-world solutions that support bioregional natural fibers
What is the Soil-to-Soil cycle?
The Soil-to-Soil cycle follows a material, whether used in the clothing, automotive, or construction industry, from its production through each stage of its manufacturing and use, and finally to the end of its life where it can be returned to the soil and the cycle begins anew. True, sustainable material circularity is made possible by using natural fibers, equitable practices, and environmentally safe methods at each stage.
Soil-to-soil concept coined by Rebecca Burgess, Fibershed
Why Natural Fibers?
Our current systems rely heavily on synthetic, petroleum-based fibers—from fast fashion to industrial composites—and drives high carbon emissions, pollution, and exploitative labor through sprawling global supply chains. These systems offshore environmental and social harms while deepening the disconnect between people and the natural environments that support them.
Vision & Mission
Vision | to build a model for bioregional supply chains of natural fiber textile and composites that integrates U-M solution-oriented research, education, community and industry
Mission | to reconnect people to the natural fibers, textiles, and materials that sustain us, building the community partnerships, research, and knowledge in ways that restore the living systems on which we depend
Pillars
Research & Technology Transfer | Development of Michigan-grown natural fiber prototypes with measured impacts
Public Impact & Community Engagement | Building a Michigan-based fiber value chain
Student Training & Workforce Development | Interdisciplinary student training and workforce development in sustainable natural fiber sciences
Impact Institutes
THREADS is a part of the Impact Institutes Initiative at the University of Michigan. Learn more at https://research.umich.edu/impact-institutes/#about