Fleecegrow

This week the NZIER has released a report about the effect legislation to keep waterways clean could have on food prices. They've found that the proposed regulations would increase prices of food by up to 20%. This shows the challenge of feeding a growing population while caring for our environment. In one bright note, they encouraged the government to finance development of potential solutions. We're currently partnering with Lincoln University to work on a product that could be one of those solutions. Let's see if we can protect our waterways AND enable our growers to keep up production. #growwellwithwool

Last week we had an amazing conversation with Roimata Minhinnick of Ngāti Te Ata, our local iwi. This is just one of several conversations we've had over the years as we've developed our whanaungatanga, first over Facebook and then by phone. We share an interest in horticulture, climate change and sustainability. We exchange ideas, articles of interest, news about conferences and trips and what we've learned. It's been a wonderful journey, and very different to so many western relationships, which are often transactional. We don't just get in touch when we need something. This type of relationship which is giving and not expecting suits so much better for the future we want to create. We're thankful for Roimata's support, but also for our growing friendship as we work on how what we can do could improve our local waterways. Aroha mai, aroha atu. Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.

We spent three full days writing a grant application. Not the most exciting task. But the potential is so exciting, it's worth every dotted i and crossed t. We ❤️ wool science! #startuplife

Did you know that the method of how you produce biochar can change its properties? ● Produced at a higher temperature and mixed with sewage or manure, it reduces the methane produced. ● If produced at lower temperatures, in sewage/manure it increases the methane produced. ● If activated with steam at the end of production, its surface area and micro pores are increased making it more absorbent. ● Steam activation also reduces the electrostatic repulsion ● 'Charging' the biochar means soaking it with nutrients before use, otherwise it will soak up nutrients like nitrogen from the soil. ● 'Inoculated' biochar has been fed healthy microbes which are great for soil development. ● Activating with potassium hydroxide makes a great surface area and pore size for increased adsorption. ● Higher temperatures lead to higher carbon capture and a more stable carbon structure "What does this have to do with wool?", you might ask. Wool is 50% carbon, the kind that is normally lost as wool biodegrades. By collecting our waste and our customer's waste, we can actually store that carbon and use it in our products. It's a truely circular solution. We can't wait. #growwellwithwool #comingsoon

Why we do what we do...

Last night we were luck enough to be asked to speak at the final lecture for the AUT Industrial design class. We challenged them with this - If you want to innovate, you have to break some 'rules'. We told them about what we are doing at Fleecegrow and how we broke just about every rule about how to handle wool to make our growing media block product. "You can't make 3d shapes in wool without a binder." "There is nothing new in non-woven." "You can't make pellets from scoured wool." The truth is - these aren't rules, they are just beliefs. Well meant advice but not useful in an industry that needs innovation. It was pleasing to see the student's studio work after and see how they too were looking beyond the norm. Amazing stuff Auckland University of Technology

Can't wait to whip these beauties into a salad! Wool seedling plugs popped into a loose wool mix in jiffy pots.

So exciting to hear success stories from clients doing trials. Can't wait until they are ready to share their new product with the world. #growwellwithwool

One of the most shocking things we've found as we enter the non woven wool industry space is the lack of machines to work wool here in New Zealand. We've had to order machinery and parts from China, Australia and America. We've even had to come up with solutions from outside the wool industry like our foam cutters and build our own machines. Many of the larger machines used come from Europe and can easily cost over a million dollars for a production line. It's only thanks to people and organisations like Wool Impact Limited , WoolWorks New Zealand Ltd , Wisewool and Terra Lana Products Ltd. that we have been able to figure out what we need and who to go to, or if we just can't get it here. As we build our own capacity, I'm already thinking ahead on how we could change this moving forward. What machines can we build here? How can we be part of the rising tide that lifts all boats? #nonwovenwool #startuplife

Today we reached a major milestone with our first order. We're excited to be working with the client to make their own customised product. Feels good to officially be a New Zealand manufacturer, and to be ready to make our first wool purchase to support the wool industry. #growwellwithwool