S06 Episode 267 | Sally Fox on breeding naturally colored organic cotton

<p>In episode 267, Kestrel welcomes farmer and scientist, Sally Fox, to the show. Known for her work in developing strong genetics in organic, naturally-colored cotton, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/vreseis/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Sally</a> also has experience in raising heritage Merino sheep and a variety of crops, including Sonora wheat.</p> <p><strong>“I viewed the misuse of ag chemicals and the overuse of dyes — I see them as the same thing. I don’t see why we’re using dyes on products, on the colors we can grow ourselves. I want to see materials that are expensive and precious and costly in terms of energy and water use, to be used where you have to use them — not just on a whim.” -Sally</strong></p> <p class="">One of the most environmentally and socially detrimental stages in the textile supply chain is the DYEING PROCESS – where we add colors to our textiles. As highlighted in Rita Kant’s article <em>T</em><a href= "https://www.scirp.org/pdf/NS20120100003_72866800.pdf" target= "_blank" rel="noopener"><em>extile dyeing industry an environmental hazard</em></a>, “The World Bank estimates that 17 to 20 percent of industrial water pollution comes from textile dyeing and finishing treatment given to fabric. Some 72 toxic chemicals have been identified in water solely from textile dyeing, 30 of which cannot be removed.”</p> <p class="">Yes, there are natural dyes which can be an amazing option. And yes, there are lower-impact dyes, which can often be a so-called better option.</p> <p class="">But what if we could grow fibers that were bred for many distinct attributes, including COLOR? </p> <p class="">Well, we can. It’s something that Sally Fox has been working on for the last 40 years – from breeding to growing to harvesting to spinning to yarn design, to many other layers in between, she’s a legend in the cotton industry.</p> <p class="">Her work planted a lot of the seeds that have grown into today’s organic industry in the U.S. </p> <p class="">And through her closeness to so many pie