Associate Professor Jennifer Green’s four-year Flax Fibre to Fabric project connects 14 researchers from five universities across Atlantic Canada
A NSCAD researcher is leading a regional push for sustainable agriculture and textiles with a four-year, $3.2 million NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative (SARI) grant.
Associate Professor Jennifer Green, from NSCAD’s Division of Craft, is the principal investigator on Flax Fibre to Fabric: An Innovative Transition Design Framework for Sustainable Agriculture Value-Chains, a $3,282,100 grant that runs from May 15, 2024, to April 14, 2028.
The announcement was made August 29 by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with 15 research projects designed to accelerate the development of solutions to support a sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector in a net-zero economy.
“Today’s recipients underscore the vital role that innovation and research play in shaping the future of agriculture in Canada. By embracing cutting-edge research and sustainable practices, we are not only safeguarding our environment but also strengthening our economy and ensuring that Canadian farmers are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This initiative is a testament of the government’s dedication to driving growth in our agricultural sector while promoting sustainability, resilience, and prosperity for all Canadians,” says Minister Champagne.
“Partnership grants of this kind build strategically important bridges across Atlantic Canada. They are essential if we want to see larger systems change. University researchers can drive and build momentum towards a greener, more sustainable economy with projects like these. I’m very proud to be working with such an amazing group of researchers, growers, craftspeople, and industry partners to realize our collective ambitions,” adds Green.
Promoting economic development and mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions
Approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are linked to the textile and fashion industry and it’s often overlooked in the fight against global climate change.
Canada’s reliance on imported fibres, textiles and clothing is a relatively new thing. Over the last three years, Green has developed a network of farmers and craftspeople across Nova Scotia to experiment with flax growing from field to craft studio.
“I believe in a strong local fibre and textile industries in Atlantic Canada,” she explains. “This project is an opportunity to revitalize our capacity to grow and process fibres like flax and to produce linen textiles. Doing so will lessen our dependence on unsustainable global supply chains and support our local economy,” she says.
Called the Flaxmobile project, her initial research involved working with local farmers to grow flax and process it into linen, then working with local craftspeople to bring ideas for new products to market. What began as a pilot study in 2022, expanded further with a Research Nova Scotia (RNS) grant and a Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund grant in 2023. Flax Fibre to Fabric takes Green’s original vision to a new level; the SARI grant has supercharged the size, breadth and ambition of the project.
“Now we have a large cross-disciplinary team of researchers working towards this goal. Together, we will define the methods, processes and infrastructure to prepare Atlantic Canadian communities to adapt to the effects of climate change. We will connect farmers, fibre mills, craftspeople, and consumers to promote the growth of sustainable textile supply chains,” Green says.
As applied research, this project aims to have a real impact in the community, specifically on the stakeholders involved in the local sustainable fibre industry. Shortening the supply chain and rehoming fibre production and processing locally has many added benefits.
“It strengthens the diversity of our agroecosystems, promotes rural economic development, provides alternative opportunities in agriculture and manufacturing, and mitigates GHG emissions,” she explains.
‘NSCAD is truly establishing itself as a centre of sustainable textiles and fashion in Canada’
Flax Fibre to Fabric involves fourteen researchers from five universities – NSCAD, Acadia University, Dalhousie University, the University of Prince Edward Island, and the University of Waterloo – as well as eight industry partners.
The expertise of the seven co-applicants spans the disciplines of agriculture, architecture, business, engineering, and environmental analysis: Edith Callaghan (Acadia); Goretty Dias (Waterloo); Ashley Doyle (Acadia); Scott Flemming (Dalhousie); James Forren (Dalhousie); Andrew Hammermeister (Dalhousie); and Quan He (Dalhousie).
The collaborators: Hamid Afshari (Dalhousie); Leesa Hamilton (NSCAD); Yunfei Jiang (Dalhousie); Mason MacDonald (Dalhousie); Joshua MacFadyen (UPEI); Gary Markle (NSCAD); and Pedram Sadeghian (Dalhousie).
As a partnership grant, NSCAD researchers are working to develop the project alongside and in consultation with industry partners. The industry partners are Fashion Takes Action, Habit Studio, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, Perennia, ReCover Initiative, Smart Prosperity Institute, Stanfield’s, and TapRoot Farms.
“This NSERC-SSHRC SARI grant is an important milestone in Jennifer Green’s research. I congratulate her on all her hard work over the last several years in building this network of collaborators and partners, enabling them all to reach this truly exciting stage,” says Jana Macalik, Interim Vice-President (Academics and Research) and Provost.
“It’s also incredible achievement for NSCAD. Jennifer has shown that we have the capacity to lead a multi-university project of this size. This, along with our generous gift last year from the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation for our Sow to Sew project, means that NSCAD University is well and truly establishing itself as a centre of sustainable textiles and fashion in Canada.”
Read more about the Flaxmobile project.