about Us
A Farm of Fiber and Dye
We are a small family farm based in Southeast Michigan, growing plants that gift fiber and dye. We tend few thousand willow plants (both native willow and heirloom varieties) for basketry and restoration work alongside a slowly expanding dye garden. We offer willow starts and potted willow for sale some seasons too, depending on our capacity and personal weaving needs. We use permaculture practices, incorporating creative and more environmentally-friendly alternatives to most industry growing standards. Willow is also a regenerative crop, and responds to annual winter harvests by returning stronger and healthier each spring.
As some may remember, we used to offer a decent selection of native plants before willow wove itself into our lives! We still regularly receive calls inquiring about plants, and are always happy to direct people to the many other wonderful nurseries in our area. Always feel free to reach out if you need some direction!
About our Fiber & Funerary Artisan Goods
Grown by Nature.
Woven & Dyed by Hand
What do we do with the willow we grow? Michael Marie (right) is the mother, farmer, fiber artist, and real force behind Hickory Nut Farmstead. She is deeply passionate about deathcare better rooted in ecology and community. Michael lovingly tends willow on our farm throughout the shifting seasons. After willow is harvested and sorted in the winter, it is cured for many months. Michael then handweaves soaked and mellowed willow rods into funerary baskets for families in our wider Michigan community. She is also the fiber artist behind all of our botanically dyed shrouds.
Michael views basket and casketmaking as an opportunity to help reweave people into the natural world. She teaches introductory wicker weaving workshops and also conducts public casketweaving events around our wider Michigan region. Find an upcoming workshop or event below.
