Nordic Flax Futures at Kalø

The event marked an important milestone for the Nordic Flax Futures project as we visited our pilot field at Kalø, where one hectare of flax is being grown to explore the opportunities and challenges of re-establishing flax as a Nordic fibre crop.

The day began with a welcome from Julie Rohde Birk, Headmaster of Kalø Organic Agricultural College, and Mia Kappelgaard from Dansk Fibershed, who introduced the ambitions behind Nordic Flax Futures and the importance of building regional knowledge, infrastructure, and collaboration around flax. A key theme throughout the day was the connection between agriculture, innovation, and textile production. Bodil Engberg Pallesen from the Danish Technological Institute shared insights from the Hemp4Tex project, highlighting lessons learned from developing Danish hemp value chains and their relevance for future fibre crops in the region.

One of the highlights was the guided tour of Kalø Agricultural College and a visit to the Nordic Flax Futures pilot field. Standing among the young flax plants, participants discussed cultivation practices, climate suitability, agronomic challenges, and the potential for scaling flax production across the Nordic countries. The one-hectare trial field serves as an important testing ground, helping us generate practical knowledge that can support future growers and strengthen local fibre systems.

Following lunch, the conversation broadened to include international perspectives and knowledge exchange. Pauline Laurent from The Organic Flax and Hemp Association shared experiences from established European flax networks, demonstrating the value of collaboration between growers, processors, designers, and manufacturers.

The afternoon concluded with a presentation by anthropologist and weaver Ellen Bangsbo, who showcased selected works and fibres, connecting the agricultural origins of flax with its cultural, material, and creative potential. Her contribution served as a reminder that rebuilding regional fibre systems is not only about crops and production but also about craftsmanship, design, and the stories woven into textiles. The Kalø field day demonstrated the strength of bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain. From farmers and researchers to textile practitioners and educators, the event created space for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and imagining new futures for flax in the Nordic region. As the Nordic Flax Futures pilot field continues to develop throughout the growing season, we look forward to documenting the crop's progress and sharing further insights from this exciting journey. The field at Kalø represents more than a hectare of flax—it represents a collective effort to explore how local, regenerative fibre production can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable textile future in the Nordic countries.