The SWSG held their January meeting and program yesterday and the presenters from Chico Flax had us ready to go start our own flax patch. Sandy Fisher explained how she got started on this "flaxinating" journey: from weaving school in Scotland to a phone call about seamstresses in Bangladesh. She began with very small plantings in community gardens but was successful enough to move on to an available small almond orchard. She and her partner, Durl, battled hot weather, poor soil conditions and just plain hard work issues. They called on Chico State and local agriculture organizations for help.
Now here they are today, a non-profit but growing concern promoting flax- growing in our region. They have the know-how and land and equipment but are still looking for a processor for their fiber. They still face challenges but WOW - what a journey. We all really enjoyed hearing about it.
We all had a wonderful time: visiting with Sandy and Durl after the presentation, visiting with one another, sharing a FANASTIC lunch supplied by all of us, and taking home surprises from the raffle. It is so "groovy now that we can finally get together." Please mark your calendars for the February Open House: it truly is our Great Get-Together. Look on the website for ways to sign up to help. One of the best parts of the Open House is working together.
SEE YOU ALL AT THE OPEN HOUSE
Comments