343. Reviving Flax: A Zero Waste Crop with Emma de Long

A Note from Michael:

The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey.

How can flax become a sustainable, versatile crop for modern farms?

In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to talk about her work with fiber flax—one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and a plant with surprising potential for today’s regenerative and artisan fiber markets.

Emma shares how she began growing flax in 2020 and why she co-founded the Pennsylvania Flax Project, an initiative working to rebuild regional fiber infrastructure. From the anatomy of the flax plant to the practical challenges of processing, Emma explains both the opportunities and realities of reviving a heritage fiber crop in the U.S.

Whether you're curious about natural fibers, looking to diversify your crops, or interested in small-scale processing, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible introduction to a crop with deep history and growing future demand.

 

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Flax Basics & History

• Why flax has nearly vanished in U.S. production—and why it’s making a comeback [03:20]
• The difference between fiber flax and seed flax, and how each is bred [03:20]
• Pennsylvania’s historical ties to flax cultivation dating back to the 1600s [03:20]

Market Interest & Opportunity

• Rising demand for natural fibers and sustainable textiles [10:29]
• Zero-waste potential—how nearly every part of the plant is useful [10:29]

Growing Fiber Flax

• What makes flax a low-input, sustainable crop [08:16]
• Soil and weather considerations—why “the weather trumps all” [08:16]
• Tips for new growers and why starting small is best [18:35]

Processing & Infrastructure

• Why processing flax into fiber is complex—but possible on small scales [13:39]
• Current challenges around U.S. flax infrastructure [16:33]
• How the Pennsylvania Flax Project is working toward a regional processing mill [16:33]

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• Why flax can be both a joy and a challenge to integrate into diversified farms [18:35]

 

Bio:

Emma de Long is a farmer, educator, and fiber advocate based in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She founded Kneehigh Farm in 2013 and has since grown a diverse mix of vegetables, dye plants, and fiber crops. Since 2019, Emma has cultivated indigo for natural pigment extraction, and in 2020 she co-founded the Pennsylvania Flax Project, an initiative dedicated to rebuilding regional flax processing infrastructure. Kneehigh Farm operates as a 100% women-run operation, and in 2021 Emma opened Red Dog Market, a year-round outlet for farm goods and local products.

Links:

👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Kneehigh Farm’s website: Kneehigh Farm
🌾 Visit PA Flax Project’s website: PA Flax Project
📷 Instagram: @kneehighfarm
👍 Facebook: @kneehighfarmCSA

 

This episode is sponsored by Growing Farmers:

Looking to get your farm systems dialed in for 2026? The Small Farm Business Intensive is a two-day, on-farm event hosted by Michael Kilpatrick in Ohio on February 20–21.

Participants will walk through the same frameworks used at Farm on Central, covering planning, pricing, profitability, team management, and more. The goal is clarity—leaving with a plan and practical tools you can actually use to move your farm forward.

Learn more and save your spot at growingfarmers.com.