Patricia Bishop

Patricia Bishop is the co-owner and Director of Market Development at TapRoot Fibre Lab, a company that specializes in producing small-batch Nova Scotia fibre products, particularly linen and wool.12

Background and Experience

Patricia has a background in environmental biology and has been a lifelong farmer.3 She and her partner Josh Oulton own TapRoot Farms, which was already one of the largest organic farms in Atlantic Canada before they expanded into fibre production.1

Vision and Innovation

In 2012, Patricia had a "lightbulb moment" about growing clothes from the farm in addition to food. This idea led to the creation of TapRoot Fibre Lab.1 The initial focus was on flax for linen production, driven by Patricia's desire to create sustainable, locally-produced fibres for clothing.13

Sustainability Focus

Patricia is deeply committed to sustainability in farming practices. She believes in organic farming and sees it as the only way forward. Her vision extends to creating a vibrant community where people can contribute meaningfully to producing items the community needs.1

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Under Patricia's leadership, TapRoot Fibre Lab has expanded beyond just growing flax. The company has developed its own small-scale processing machines for bast fibres, established a spinning mill, and created linen garments.2 They now produce various fibre products, including roving, batting, and yarns.5

Community and Education

Patricia is actively involved in promoting local fibre production and education. She works with the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, providing students with opportunities to test ideas and learn about sustainable fibre production.1

Patricia Bishop's LinkedIn profile can be found under the username patricia-bishop-b6786541.4