TMU’s Urban Farm grows natural dyes for sustainable fashion

It's January, and it couldn't feel more like the dead of winter.

With the coldest stretch(external link) of the season historically falling between the second and third week of this month, it can feel endless.

As we inch towards the spring equinox, we thought we'd chase away the winter blues with a burst of colour to remind us of summer on campus.

The Urban Farm at TMU operates two rooftop farms that support research, experiential learning and community engagement. While many are familiar with the farms for growing and distributing fresh produce, a lesser-known initiative is the Natural Dye Garden at the Urban Farm's Living Lab, developed in partnership with TMU's School of Fashion.

The Natural Dye Garden is led by Rachel MacHenry, professor of Fashion Sustainability, Decolonization and Design, in collaboration with Jessica Russell, operations coordinator at the Urban Farm. Together, they bring the rooftop garden to life as a space for learning and experimentation.

The project transforms the rooftop farm into a living classroom, connecting TMU fashion students to natural dyeing traditions. Through collaborative harvesting and dyeing processes, students gain immersive experience and learn about more sustainable approaches to fashion systems that offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical dyes.