Sandy Fisher and Durl Van Alstyne talk Oct. 26 about flax and making linen in Chico. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
Watching what looks like a strand of weeds become fibers that will become cloth, well, the whole process almost seems like magic.
On the outskirts of Chico is a flax farm—Golden State Linen, which used to be called Chico Flax—where Sandy Fisher and Durl Van Alstyne are growing and processing flax.
“We are starting a campaign asking you to help support the farm we have worked so hard to heal. As some of you know the farm was an old almond orchard that had been treated with chemicals,” their website says. “By incorporating the use of cover crops, making our own mycorrhizal fungi, no-till planting, and an addition of a hedgerow we have transformed the 3.75 acres into a climate beneficial environment raising the soil organic matter from 0.07 percent to 5.27 percent in six years.”
Several machines are used to turn flax into a material that can be spun into cloth. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
The nonprofit hosted an open house at the end of October.
There was much to be learned. For one, all linen comes from flax. Now it makes sense why linen products are so dang expensive. Plus, there are no longer linen mills in the United States. In fact, Golden State Linen is the country’s only small-scale flax processing farm.
The flax for consumption is not the same varietal to make cloth. It doesn’t like the heat, which is why in Chico it has become a winter crop.
About an acre of flax is planted. It the spring it will all be pulled by hand—no machines are involved in the harvest.
A series of nails work like combs to get rid of the woody remains of the flax. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
“It’s flax until it is spun,” Fisher explained to the group gathered at their property. “It takes a lot of work to create high-quality linen fibers.”
Some of the machines the couple uses have been created by Chico State students.
By becoming a nonprofit the hope is the project will grow.
“We are leveraging partnerships and opportunities built over the past 14 years to further develop a regenerative and economically viable fiber flax production pilot projects in Northern California,” the website says, adding that a goal is to: “Develop new prototype fiber products (like) flax/cotton and flax/wool yarn blends with regional processing and farming partners.”
Their motto is: Building a regional fabric one thread at a time.
fascinating – who knew ?
Flax is amazingly intensive to make into linen.
Interesting side note pertaining to flax/linen:
Back when England was colonizing Australia, they sent convicts there to raise flax and then make sails for the navy. (Also to harvest the groves of Norfolk Pines to make masts for the sailing ships) Thus ostensibly they rationalized shipping the convicts to Australia as ‘good for economy’. Small issue though…. They failed to train the convicts in the making of linen. Or how to sew sails. And no one bothered to notice that Norfolk Pines do not make good masts as they are not strong enough. All in all, it was a ruse to rid England of its overcrowded prisons -caused by a series of previous laws that were passed making sudden spike in ‘outlaws’.
Fascinating history – though so sad – that was shared with us via an Aussie and a textbook.
Thank you for sharing!
this is very cool ! and love that they are healing the earth along the way!
That was fascinating. I had no idea that little boy of Chico made linen. I am really impressed. Thanks for sharing, but next let me know before so I can go!!!
Great article Kae!