Project Overview
From 2023 to 2025, the International Center for Indigo Culture (ICIC) advanced its mission to inspire and build a vibrant farm-to-fabric economy. By leading the USDA Southern SARE “train-the-trainer” initiative, Indigo and Companion Food Crops: Opportunities for Limited Resource Farmers in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia , we highlighted, celebrated, and shared knowledge about the history and modern opportunities for growing and processing Indigofera suffruticosa plants in the region. This collaborative effort involved farmers, educators, artists, and service providers in hands-on programs designed to expand understanding of sustainable indigo cultivation, processing, and value-chain opportunities for indigo as a dye and as a companion crop. Over the two-year grant period, ICIC and its partners implemented a multi-modal curriculum that included virtual workshops and immersive on-farm trainings. These sessions brought together growers, textile artists, academic partners, and community leaders to share practical skills for planting, harvesting, and processing indigo using both traditional and modern methods. Participants also explored marketing strategies to tap into increasing regional demand for natural dye products and agritourism experiences, helping to strengthen local economies while honoring cultural heritage.
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