Our Glossary of Terms

Soil-based agricultural fibers: Fiber crops, textiles, leather, and natural dye pigments that are the agricultural products of farming operations and sustainable cropping and grazing systems, or natural ecosystems, including— 

(i) plant-based fibers such as: cotton, flax, and hemp

(ii) animal-based fibers and products including: wool, alpaca, and leather 

(iii) wood-derived fibers including the products of U.S. forestry 

(iv) other soil-based plant or animal products

(v) plant-based natural dye products such as plant extracts 

Regenerative (as in regenerative agriculture): An approach that transforms current agricultural systems by centering indigenous, geographically-specific practices that enhance and preserve ecological bioregions. This results in climate change mitigation, restoration of soil and natural water systems, and thus—an alternative regional social ecology and economy.

Organic (as in organic farming or products): Farming and growing techniques that do not use genetically modified organisms or seeds (GMOs), synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Additionally, practices like no or low-tillage are utilized to maintain soil health. Although similar to regenerative agriculture, organic farming is focused mostly on maintaining soil health rather than restoration practices.  

Sustainable (as in sustainable practices): Being able to provide for current and future generations without violence, oppressive hierarchies or environmental devastation. Consistent and sustained livelihood conditions, along with agency and dignity in the systems that undergird our lives.

Agroecology: Using farming methods that center the relationships between plants, animals, people and the environment. The application of ecologically-centered concepts in farming. 

Ecosystems: A geographic area in which living / biological organisms such as plants, animals, landscapes, topographies and microorganisms interact with the physical environment to form a mutually dependent environmental system. All elements of an ecosystem are directly or indirectly interdependent. 

Bioregional: Working within a region or territory whose boundaries are defined by ecological, biological and topographical features—rather than man made borders. A set of environmental factors that share similarities across a region regardless of political delineations. 

Bioregionalism: The belief that cultural, political and economic systems are more sustainable and equitable when they are defined by ecological (or natural) boundaries. This perspective centers designing the material conditions of our lives around the ecosystems that we live in and near. 

Biodiversity: The variety and diversity of healthy living / biological organisms in a given habitat or agricultural system. 

Climate Beneficial™: Fibershed’s Climate Beneficial™ Verification program and label supports farmers and ranchers in landscape level stewardship that centers their work to build healthy soil. Developed in 2015 in collaboration with The Carbon Cycle Institute, scientists, and technical service providers, our Climate Beneficial™ Program engages fiber producers and provides financial and technical support to enhance the drawdown of carbon from the atmosphere. Impact to the climate is measured using a combination of direct soil measurement, computer modeling via dynamic environmental systems models, as well as localized peer reviewed data from our region’s land grant universities.

Fiber Business: A farmer or producer who grows fiber plants—such as cotton, hemp, or flax; as well as ranchers who grow fiber producing animals such as—sheep, alpaca, or goat. A cleaning, manufacturing, or weaving company that supports transforming fiber into a finished fabric, textile or cloth that can then be turned into a final product. 

Natural Dye Business: A farmer that grows plants that can be used to dye materials.  Companies that use non-toxic dyes, derived from plants rather than chemicals. 

Textile Business: A company, brand or organization that sources, designs and / or works with cloth, fabric, or any fiber-based materials that are used to make finished garments and products. 

Small to Mid-scale business: Businesses and initiatives that are pre-revenue or have an annual revenue of $300K or less. 

Non-extractive: Serving the needs of the local people, region and community in which the business is situated, rather than extracting resources and labor from many to profit a few. Not removing nutrients from the soil or ecological regions without replenishing them. 

Community-based: Something that is organized in, engaging with, and benefitting the locality in which it is situated. Acknowledging and honoring historical (and current) residents, architecture, and culture. As well as, recognizing incoming residents and the shifting demographics of that particular place.  

People of the Global Majority (PGM): “The term ‘people of the global majority’ affirms non-white people’s inherent power as the majority of the world’s population.” (Daniel Kim) Black (of African descent), Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people represent over 80% of the world’s population. Unlike BIPOC, which still centers Whiteness, PGM affirms that most people on the planet are non-White. According to statistical speculation around shifting demographics in the U.S., in the near future White people will no longer be a majority. 

Supply Networks: This refers to relationships of production, including flows of raw and synthetic materials and the inter relations between a multitude of stakeholders and suppliers. These relationships result in finished products and goods being made accessible to consumers.