I’ve really pushed myself again. This morning, we were with Ramesh, the dyer. Everything for New SADLE is dyed here, including the products for hessnatur. Bit by bit, I have converted his dyes from “local dye stuff” to European varieties, which are produced under more transparent criteria. From the European producers, I receive reliable framework conditions. After extensive tests for heavy metals, formaldehyde, etc. we were able to approve the dyes. Today we were once again able to optimize a dye, as Ramesh has access to a new dyeing apparatus.

Then we had a really crazy appointment: I toured a wool felt production center. Deliciously colorful, wonderful products! I found just tons of great stuff there, from felt hats and crazy handbags to felt-ball necklaces. We’ll see what our designers have to say about this assortment. Speaking of designers: Anette Hoffman, our designer for women’s fashions, is looking for embroidered cotton fabrics. Hari introduced me to a few samples made from organic cotton, and I was impressed. And scores of cartons full of organic cotton are loitering around New SADLE’s office as we speak! Let’s get a move on!

This afternoon I had a meeting with Dr. Massmann, of the GLS- Foundations for the Future. I set upon her with all the charm I could muster and spoke with her about the urgent need for a well to be dug in Kapan near New SADLE. There was no further need to stress the necessity of an ultrasound with her, as we have, dear readers, already talked about that.

This evening, we had a general meeting to wrap up the whole visit. That’s always important after being inundated with new information and ideas. After that, diner in the company of my friends here, and a heartfelt farewell. I’m off to India, where I will meet with a partner in our Burkina Faso project. It’s a small world. “Namaste” merely becomes “Namaska”.

I first introduced you to Ouba Montadi from Burkina Faso in my post about our visit to our organic farming project (Visiting the Fields of White Gold).  Ouba is a farmer from the village of Fuanliedi.

Ouba told me, “it’s special that no chemicals are used.  It is an organic field and we do not use any chemical fertilizers.  We use a natural plant-based manure from beginning to end.”

In May, Ouba begins the planting process. It is important to begin putting the seeds in the earth before the first rain.  The rainy season usually begins in June and lasts until September or, at the latest, the beginning of October.  This is the cotton growth season.  The growth is dependent on rain, since there is no artificial watering system in these fields.  During that time, Ouba and the other farmers weed and add organic manure, created from plant extracts.  At the end of the rainy season, the West African sun dries the cotton fields.  “That’s when the cotton plants begin blooming and we start to harvest,” says Ouba.

Ouba and the other farmers – many of them women – pick the mature cotton blossoms. Bunches of the finest raw cotton then dry naturally between the small round houses and compounds inhabited by the farmers and their families.  This is the first step in creating beautiful, sustainable hessnatur apparel.

Exclusive Preview Summer Collection 2010

To create awareness of the importance of wearing organic cotton, our very own designer, Simone Janintz, created a tee made from cotton grown and harvested at the hessnatur organic cotton project in Burkina Faso.

The message, “the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today” on the outline of the African continent, doesn’t just speak to the cotton itself, but also to the belief that the environmental seeds we plant today will determine the flowers of our future.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If you want to join in spreading the awareness, the tee can be yours when you comment below, telling us why.  The winner will be chosen based on creativity and originality.

If you’re chosen, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Environmental and social crises are called out in “lawn” signs around the earth, from over-fishing to the destruction of the Amazon rain forest.  Designer Miguel Adrover created a compelling message and graphic to inspire awareness and action.

Created from organic cotton grown at the hessnatur organic farming project in Burkina Faso, West Africa, the tee was produced at Grameen Knitwear in Bangladesh, part of the network founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If this is the tee that inspires you, you can win it by commenting below, telling us why the tee reflects your beliefs.  The winner will be decided based on creativity and originality.

If you’re selected, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The winner of the hessnatur/planetgreen.com Eco-Tee Challenge, Lindsay Seligman, California designer, created this special tee with one simple line depicting creatures of the earth forming the message “One Life”.

The tee is pure organic cotton from our organic farming project in Burkina Faso, West Africa.  Produced at Grameen Knitwear in Bangladesh, part of the network founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, the tee is made with the highest social standards.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If this is your message tee of choice, win it by commenting below, giving us your reasons why.  The winner will be chosen based on creativity and originality.

If you’re chosen, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.