The ecological alternative offered by plant fibers like milkweed is more than an individual business project. It is above all a major social project.
The birth of a Movement
Monark Cooperative is an inspiring community of innovation, based on cooperative and collaborative values. It is also a group of nearly 20 producers, pioneers in the cultivation of milkweed in Quebec, who embarked on this project with the deep desire to do agriculture differently.
4 years ago, together, we overcame difficulties and rolled up our sleeves! We met with researchers, manufacturers and industry expert consultants, in order to clearly define the needs, the potential applications and to perpetuate the place of milkweed fiber as a sustainable plant alternative.
“It’s not true that we looked crazy by planting milkweed in our fields, so that this distinctive fiber wouldn’t achieve the success it was destined for !”
Marie-Noël Breton, producer and project manager
A rigorous research and collaborative innovation approach
Monark Cooperative and the University of Sherbrooke have undertaken a promising research and development project, using innovative processes. We went elsewhere, far from the old recipes! We were able to collaborate with the best expertise internationally. The CTT Group also joined the project, providing additional expertise in materials and textiles.
We are today at the validation stage of new generation thermal insulating quilting. We need to create a winter product and finally demonstrate its performance. What could be better than a pair of winter leisure mittens, essential for everyone in Quebec, and a La Ruche campaign with the community to achieve this important step in the milkweed project !
To join the Movement and contribute to it, visit laruchequebec.com/monark and Facebook Le Mouvement Monark.
Coopérative Monark, a collective mission
Through its driving role in the deployment of a strong Quebec milkweed industry, the cooperative listens, brings together, initiates projects and partnerships, promotes milkweed products both in Quebec and in North America both internationally.
She works in all aspects of the milkweed project, whether for the development of cultivation techniques, agricultural or processing equipment, as well as efficient formats allowing manufacturers to integrate milkweed into their products.
Thus, Coopérative Monark’s vision is to create an equitable value chain where all stakeholders share the common objective of making a difference for the environment, society and future generations.
Marie-Noël Breton
Entrepreneure agricole, passionnée par la diversité florale et la pollinisation, Marie-Noël Breton a la fibre de l’innovation ! Membre de la coopérative depuis 2017 et aujourd'hui chargée de projet, elle a pour objectifs de promouvoir cette fibre locale aux propriétés exceptionnelles et rassembler les industries québécoises dans ce projet unique au monde !
