A sheep farmer, a soil scientist, and an industrial designer walk into a barn…

It sounds like the setup for a joke, but in reality, it was the beginning of a groundbreaking conversation about sustainability, fiber, and the future of furniture.

Despite working with the same material—wool—it is rare for farmers, scientists, and designers to collaborate. These worlds are often disconnected, separated by layers of supply chains, manufacturing, and traditional industry practices.

So what brought them together on a farm in southeastern Pennsylvania on a Friday in September? A shared commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and the potential of regenerative design.

This was the foundation of the Farm to Furniture event, hosted by Common Object, Fibershed PA, and Willow Creek Farm Preserve—a full-day immersive experience exploring the possibilities of regenerative wool and its role in furniture design.

A Fresh Start at the Farm

For most of the forty attendees, the day began with a scenic drive through rolling farmland, leading them to Willow Creek Farm Preserve. Upon arrival, they were welcomed with fresh coffee and greeted by the Fibershed team before stepping into the on-site mill, a beautiful, open space showcasing locally processed wool products.

The event began with a panel discussion featuring:

Justin Beitzel, founder of Common Object Design Studio
Rachel Higgins, co-founder of Fibershed PA
Dr. Andrew Smith, a soil scientist at the Rodale Institute and co-owner of Willow Creek

The discussion revolved around wool as a material, fiber farming and processing in Pennsylvania, and how furniture companies can integrate regenerative practices into their supply chains.

What Does Regenerative Design Mean?

The term regenerative systems is often used in agriculture, but what does it really mean? Unlike conventional farming, which extracts from the land, regenerative farming restores it.

At Willow Creek Farm, farmers Melissa and Dr. Andrew Smith use holistic grazing methods, which allow the farm to function as a carbon sink. This means their soil and sheep’s wool actively store carbon, reducing greenhouse gases and supporting biodiversity.

But the question remains: how can these regenerative benefits continue once the wool leaves the farm?

The second half of Farm to Furniture aimed to answer just that.

From Farm to Fabric: The Wool Processing Tour

After a hearty lunch, attendees embarked on a step-by-step journey of wool processing, moving through every stage from sheep to finished material.

Step 1: The Field – Understanding Regenerative Farming
The day began in the pastures, where Dr. Smith explained regenerative grazing. He discussed how careful land management can increase carbon storage, reduce soil erosion, and support diverse ecosystems. Meanwhile, a flock of 150 Shetland sheep stole the spotlight, showcasing the intricate patterns and natural beauty of their wool.

Step 2: Wool Processing – From Fleece to Fiber
Inside Willow Creek’s on-site wool mill, attendees saw firsthand how freshly shorn fleece is cleaned, processed, and spun into yarn. The wool was:

Tumbled to remove debris
Scoured and washed in eco-friendly solutions
Dried and picked to prepare it for spinning
Carded and spun into soft, durable fibers

What made this process truly unique was the traceability—Melissa could tell attendees exactly which sheep each batch of wool came from, forging a deep connection between the material, the land, and the people who use it.

This localized processing approach dramatically reduces wool’s carbon footprint compared to mass production, where wool is often shipped across continents before it reaches manufacturers.

From Wool to Furniture: The Future of Sustainable Design

The event’s final segment brought everyone back to the barn, where furniture designer Justin Beitzel showcased his latest work—the Oka Terra Collection from Common Object Design Studio.

This collection, a collaboration between Common Object and Willow Creek, features:

Locally sourced regenerative wool from Willow Creek
Salvaged wood from fallen trees in Baltimore City
Carbon-storing hemp-based materials
Waste wool used in place of traditional foam padding

Justin spoke about the disconnect between designers and material producers, highlighting how regenerative sourcing requires a shift in the way the furniture industry operates. Instead of blindly ordering mass-produced wool from across the world, Common Object worked directly with local farmers, reducing their environmental impact while supporting independent agriculture.

This project goes beyond sustainability—it actively restores ecosystems and redefines material production.

A Regenerative Future in Design

As the event came to a close, attendees left Willow Creek Farm Preserve with more than just knowledge. They left with:

New connections—bridging the gap between agriculture, science, and design
A deeper understanding of regenerative wool and its potential
Fresh inspiration—proving that furniture can be beautiful, functional, and ecologically responsible

Some may have even left with a skein of yarn from a sheep named Maggie, ready for their next creative project.

At Common Object, we believe that the future of design lies not just in sustainable materials, but in regenerative systems that give back to the land. The Farm to Furniture event was a step toward that future—a future where design is part of the solution, not the problem.

Are you ready to rethink how we create?

Let’s build a future where every product restores the earth rather than depletes it.

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