Ripley Horticultural Society learns about uses for waste wool

Members and guests of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society were given a passionate and convincing seminar on the benefits of a circular economy using waste wool, by artist, sheep farmer and entrepreneur Jennifer Osborn, Wednesday, at the Ripley-Huron Legion.

Osborn is the founder of EcoWool, whose mission is “to initiate sustainability and support farmers by upcycling wool and fibre waste into valuable products. By converting organic materials into usable products, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a thriving circular economy."

The audience was surprised to learn that Canada produces well over one-million kilograms of wool as an agricultural by-product annually of which only three per cent is used for textiles. The rest is burned, dumped or sent to landfill.
However, wool, as a renewable resource, is biodegradable, flame-resistant, contains more nitrogen than animal manure, and retains water.

At EcoWool, it’s made into pellets to be added to potted plants and gardens as a slow release fertilizer, weed suppressant and moisture regulator. The wool can also be made into landscape barrier fabric that replaces plastics while providing nutrients and other benefits.

An additional and significant benefit is that waste wool horticultural products replace peat as a garden additive; thereby, saving wetlands that are critically important for storing carbon and preserving biodiversity.
 

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Guest speaker Jennifer Osborn poses with her display of waste wool pellets and landscape fabric at the Ripley and District Horticultural Society meeting, Wednesday; photos by Christine Roberts
 

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Horticultural society members were most impressed by Osborn’s extensive research and her zeal to turn a waste product into environmentally-friendly goods that create economic benefits for the agricultural and horticultural sector. Many attendees took advantage of the opportunity to purchase pellets for their personal use.

Following the presentation, information was shared about upcoming society projects and events, including the annual plant sale in Lewis Park, May 18, and planting of community planters at Smeltzer’s Garden Centre following the Victoria Day weekend.

Christine Roberts reported that the society’s application to the Huron-Kinloss Community Well-Being Program had been successful and plans were under way to add three more habitat gardens: two in Ripley and one in Point Clark. She also urged members to support the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens’ native plant sale currently under way.

Gail Lotton reviewed the new parameters of the flower show which will take place at the next meeting, Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Legion Hall. Schedules were distributed by E-mail and in paper form.

Cathy Lobraico provided a model of the special design class, “The Secret Life of Plants.” Exhibitors may deliver their entries between 6:30-6:45 p.m. with the meeting and show beginning at 7 p.m.

Visitors are always welcome and instructed to bring a mug for refreshments.



An example of a possible entry in the Ripley Horticultural Society’s flower show special design class, “The Secret Life of Plants,” provided by committee co-chairperson, Cathy Lobraico