About Us

We are a global network of 80+ members. We are farmers, fiber processors, emerging manufacturers, natural dyers, designers, upcyclers, and artists. Our members grow and work with natural / plant-based fibers, plant dyes, and sustainable textiles. Our members use regenerative agricultural and sourcing practices, as well as engage in other sustainable strategies. Our members are creative and curious about earth-based practices, as well as the variety of uses plants have.

Among the issues that our members’ work addresses are: climate adaptation and mitigation, community skill-building, social and racial justice, community wealth creation, environmental justice and spiritual healing.

bftn was officially established in 2023 after years of relationship building. We are a network based on relationships to each other, land and regenerative futures.

Current Work

Partnerships

Partnerships are central to how bftn advances Black regenerative fiber, dye, and textile ecosystems. We collaborate with organizations, institutions, and companies to create opportunities for our members, strengthen supply networks, and expand education about Black communities' roles in fiber and textile economies.

Uplifting Our Vision Through Media

Storytelling is a powerful way to spotlight our members' work. Our YouTube channel features Woven From Nature, our short documentary, along with member profiles and stories that highlight Black practicioners in regenerative fiber and textile ecosystems.

Community Workshops

We partner with our members to offer free and low-cost workshops so that skill-building, environmental education, and collective art-making are accessible to our communities.

Member Support & Collaborations

We connect members across the globe through resource sharing, technical assistance, and virtual gatherings that foster relationships, knowledge exchange, and collaborative projects.

image by Nyrie Benton

Image taken by Nyrie Benton, Harvesting Nature’s Rainbow workshop at Oko Farms

  • We reclaim and celebrate the value of Black contributions to fiber and textile supply networks, promoting regenerative practices that respect the earth and build-up our communities.

  • Collaborations is at the heart of what we do. We bring people together to co-learn, co-create, and produce collectively.

  • We honor the rich traditions of African-descended lineages, embracing them as pathways toward a sustainable and equitable future.

We are a movement committed to advancing economic agency in our communities, supporting culturally relevant conservation, and centering holistic environmental stewardship.

Image taken by Sasha Kelley @ Seed2Shirt’s pilot farm in Whitakers, North Carolina

Our Principles