College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Advisor: Dr. Lissy Goralnik 

I am a PhD student in CSUS. My work explores nature relationships through local food systems and craft practices rooted in reciprocal ties with the land. Currently, I’m collaborating with artisans in Rajasthan, India, in the papermaking sector to explore the time-honored methods within the craft. I am also part of an instructional team teaching IDS 499 and IDS 495 (interdisciplinary research methods) in the Center for Integrative Studies at MSU.

Papermaking in India has a vivid and rich history, and handmade paper played a vital role in transferring knowledge, documenting spiritual teachings, and shaping artistic tradition. In India, Sanganer, located in Rajasthan, became the largest producer of handmade paper. Its proximity to Amber Palace, access to water, and abundance of natural fibers, such as banana leaf and hemp, led to Sanganer being renowned for its high-quality handmade paper. Today, Sanganer continues to practice time-honored traditions in the papermaking craft sector.

            Though written documentation of papermaking in India is limited, oral traditions and existing texts suggest this craft is rooted in slow, local production, with a focus on upcycling waste materials. Historically, banana leaves and jute were used because they were readily available waste materials. Today, as fast fashion textile waste grows, papermakers mainly use cotton rag. This prevents discarded cotton from being burned or sent to landfills. Moreover, cotton-rag paper is durable, long-lasting, and of archival quality, making it ideal for religious texts and paintings. Especially in an era that promotes unchecked consumption, handmade paper may symbolize a quiet return to intention, as it commits to slow and mindful production tied to relationships with the land.

            Nature-connectedness, or the innate desire to connect with the natural world, shows that there are endless ways to deepen our bond with nature, especially through craft practices based on reciprocal relationships with the environment. Papermaking, with its emphasis on slow processes and natural materials, may provide an opportunity to connect with nature and cultivate an appreciation for the environment. By crafting with natural fibers, such as those derived from indigenous plants, papermaking can offer a tactile experience that links people to materiality, place, and nature. Additionally, traditional practices in papermaking, such as using recycled waste and water, can support responsible land management.