Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit RESPONSE
By REBeCCA BALLARD, Chair of the Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit
As Maya Angelou stated, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, you do better.” With all of us leaning in, sharing, connecting, learning, and growing at the Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit, we all know better and can do better.
We haven’t been paying the true cost for fashion. Doing that, plus taking on the costs and risks of bringing about regenerative practices, is no small feat. Creating a more regenerative industry takes a lot of work, and it takes all of us. We can’t do it all at once, and we can’t do it alone. There is tremendous power in a spiderweb of connections, layered learnings, and multi-faceted partnerships.
“We haven’t been paying the true cost for fashion. Doing that, plus taking on the costs and risks of bringing about regenerative practices, is no small feat. ”
We need to center farmers in the conversation and provide them with the financial support, resources, and wealth-building necessary for their success. We need brands to support farmers financially and to have appropriate incentives for and communication with farmers. Farmers also need to be compensated for all they do, including supporting brands with data, visuals, and storytelling.
We need to thoughtfully understand how our own work contributes to a regenerative transition. Companies must understand their entire supply chain, a process that isn’t just about technology and innovation but at its core about relationships and commitment.
We are seeing more regulation at present at the local, state, federal, and global level. Instead of fearing this, we should engage and be a part of the process. Two months ago I hosted the first briefing on fashion for U.S. congressional staffers, and I was so encouraged by the engagement then and afterwards. Our elected officials and their offices want to deepen their knowledge and know our thoughts. Areas like regenerative agriculture, job creation, and combating forced labor are of interest to elected officials of all political persuasions.
“We need to center farmers in the conversation and provide them with the financial support, resources, and wealth-building necessary for their success. ”
I have seen far too many small sustainable businesses close down, while seeing large companies with exploitative models grow. We need to bring in entrepreneurship and innovation, ensuring that social enterprises with real solutions are able to scale their ideas. Once again, incentives and funding need to be there. As four very different and inspiring companies showed us in the Innovation Showcase, there are so many models here.
It is up to each of us to take what we have learned, implement it, and grow. Be bold and relational in moving forward, and continue to connect with this diverse and inclusive group. There is a lot happening right now and we must all deeply engage in this moment and bring others in. This is only the beginning, and I’m so excited to see where it will lead. I’m also here to continue the conversation, brainstorm, collaborate, and support your future endeavors - don’t hesitate to reach out!
Rebecca a Sustainable Fashion Adviser at Rebecca Ballard Advisory and an expert in improving the social and environmental impact of fashion companies across product development and production, supply chains through all tiers, business management and operations, internal and external communications, logistics, and more. She created the first ethical, sustainable clothing line geared to the unique needs of U.S. professional women with a focus on women’s empowerment, which incorporated support of social entrepreneurs, women’s empowerment, fair trade principles, values-aligned partnerships, hyperlocal logistics, zero waste, certified organic materials, low-impact dyes, and water stewardship. Rebecca also founded The Fashion Connection, a nonprofit which makes connections and creates resources to advance the U.S. sustainable fashion industry. She previously served as a labor and employment attorney for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is based in Washington, DC, and has experience in all of the top 10 garment-producing countries, including living in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China.
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Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit | November 2023
