The Glossary of Regeneration
The regenerative tapestry is formed by many important threads — from insects and microorganisms to indigenous farming techniques and reciprocal relationships with those who tend the land. Every aspect has a part to play in the bigger picture, and while there’s an ever-unfolding journey of learning and discovery to be had, we wanted to give you a simple A-Z guide to better understanding regenerative terms and processes.
Adaptive Management
Working in harmony with the land in a way that honors its unique resources, patterns and systems.
Biodiversity
Having a wide variety of diverse flora and fauna species in an ecosystem. Each species serves a different purpose, benefiting the ecosystem in its own unique way.
Carbon Sequestration
The process in which excess carbon is drawn down from the atmosphere into the soil.
Degradable
The ability for something to break down. Things that can be broken down through natural processes are biodegradable.
Ecosystem
A natural community of flora and fauna and the environment they interact with.
Foot-Operated Loom
A wooden structure that artisans use to weave yarn into fabric using their feet and ams to power it.
Grazing
When domesticated animals walk a field and consume the natural vegetation. When done correctly, grazing is an important aspect of regenerating soils.
Hand Block Printing
Artisans hand carve teak blocks, dip them in pigment and press them onto fabric to create unique designs.
Indigenous Practices
Local knowledge developed over centuries by the communities native to the landscape.
Just Working Conditions
Ethical work environments are based on mutually beneficial relationships where everyone is compensated fairly and receives benefits to live a healthy, dignified life.
Khadi
Hand spun, hand woven cotton indigenous to India, created through a process that has been passed down through generations
Land Stewardship
Taking care of land, its environment and the people who tend to it.
Mutually Beneficial Relationships
Reciprocity is the basis of any ethical relationship, where in order for one member of a community to win, everyone wins.
Natural Dyes
The pigments extracted from a variety of leaves, seeds and roots to create vibrant, natural fabric dyes.
Organic Farming
A farming technique that does not use GMOs or synthetic inputs.
Pollinator Crops
Farmers plant certain crops, such as marigolds, to attract pollinators. The pollinators help the main crop increase yield and the entire farm's biodiverisity increases too.
Quilting
The process of joining two pieces of fabric and batting together. We work with a Rabari community in Northern India that hand stitches our quilts.
Regeneration
The act of healing through reciprocal relationships. To create vitally intimate, reciprocal relationships with the human beings who steward the land, the plants that are fed from the soil and with Mother Earth herself.
Sericulture
A farming technique in which mulberry plants are grown for silkworms to eat.
Trap Crops
Plants grown inetntionally on the edge of the farm and in between rows to attract pests to them, rather than the main crop
Upcycling
The act of turning waste into something of higher value. Such as utilizing deadstock, the leftover fabric from larger fashion houses, to create dresses or turning fabric scraps into a quilt.
Value Sharing
Creating a bottom up approach, where each member of a community shares the responsibility and benefit of working equally
Water Retention
The soil's ability to hold water. Soil with high carbon levels has greater water retention.
Yield
The abundance, or dearth, of crops that farmers are able to harvest at the end of each season.
Zero Waste
The practice of design and responsible production that utililizes all material, with nothing going to waste.