Local Business Brings Positive Psychology to the Rust Belt Linen Movement
Elizabeth (Beth) Sheeler, the founder of Cleveland’s Broadlawn Farm, and expert in positive psychology, is part of a mission to bring the once buoyant Midwestern linen industry back to life and increase connectivity in her local community by tending to a vibrant flax plot throughout the season and culminating with Broadlawn Farm’s annual Flax Picking Party, held in August.
The Rust Belt Linen Project is made up of a group of committed farmers and growers aiming to revive the local linen industry, and for three years Broadlawn Farm has been an integral part of this project. As a passionate group member, Beth has recognized the synergy the project has with positive psychology, inspiring her to take a community-centric approach to the yearly harvest. Celebrating the region’s sustainable approach to farming and textiles also highlights the role of positive psychology.
2023 is the third year that Broadlawn Farm is taking part in the Rust Belt Linen Project, growing a 20’ x 10’ plot with the ‘Linore’ variety of flax. This year, rather than simply harvesting the flax, Broadlawn Farm aims to process and create fiber from the flax, with the goal of producing a finished item of clothing to be entered into the Rust Belt Fibershed’s One Year, One Outfit project, responding to the damaging effects of fast fashion by following a soil to soil supply chain.
Please contact broadlawnfarm@alphakilo.com for more information.
