Local Sustainable Fiber and Yarn

As we adjust to a new normal, how do we navigate tariffs and supply chain disruptions to sustain our need and desire to create? There are a number of alternatives from reclaiming fiber from finished goods to creatively working the stash we’ve accumulated over time. Additionally, we can support Local Sustainable Fiber and Yarn produced by US farms and mills that are committed to sustainability, and a holistic approach to stewardship of animals, land, resources, and community.

You can find locally produced fiber and yarns through fiber festivals around the country, or, through a Google search, “fiber farm near me”.  Here in the Mid-Atlantic where Withers Wool and Farm is located, the shows include Maryland Sheep and Wool, Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival, Frederick Fiber Festival, and Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival.  There are many more shows in almost every state spread throughout the year.  Some are even held online, but the real joy of fiber is getting your hands into it!  So, if you are a fiber enthusiast, and have not yet visited a local fiber show, now may be the time to do so.  Better yet, come to the farm.  Link to Farm-Animals Page. When you visit a local farm, you meet the animals and the people who care for them.  You will see firsthand that “local sourcing”, “sustainability”, “minimal processing” and “environmental impact” are more than words.  These are practices that are good for the animals, the planet, and, you.  The quality and diversity of fiber here in the US is amazing and that comes from good and committed farming practices.

Local farmers following good farming practices do so to promote animal health and to harvest the best fiber. Practices such as pasture rotation, minimal (or no) use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers promote bio-diversity, sustainability and optimal animal health and quality fiber production. I have been focusing on the use of animal fiber but there are now some small local farms that are growing plant fibers such as linen, hemp, and bamboo that can be used to make fiber and yarns.

How fiber is processed should matter. Small farms and mills clean fiber and remove vegetable matter by using soap and then picking and carding (either by hand or using machines). Large commercial establishments - both in the US and overseas - use chemicals to clean fiber and remove vegetable matter, primarily with a process called carbonization. This process alters the characteristics of the fiber such that it is not as soft and some people react to fibers processed this way. A final consideration of using locally sourced animal and plant fibers (actually any animal and plant fibers) is avoiding man-made fibers and yarns that may contain plastic or are made using petroleum – such as acrylic, nylon, polyester and spandex.

We sell local sustainable fiber and yarn at our store in Woodbine, Maryland.

Here is a short list of the benefits of local sustainable fiber and yarn:

Environmental Benefits

·      Reduced Carbon Footprint: Local sourcing means shorter transport distances and less fossil fuel usage.

·      Preservation of Local Ecosystems: Sustainable farming and grazing help maintain soil, water, and wildlife health.

. Protection of Biodiversity: Heritage varieties of plants and animals are conserved, enriching the local genetic pool

Economic and Social Benefits

·      Support for Local Farmers and Artisans: Money spent on local fiber stays in the community, strengthening regional economies.

·      Empowerment of Small-Scale Producers: Sustainable fiber markets favor small farms and cooperatives over industrial agriculture.

. Revival of Traditional Skills: Spinning, weaving, and dyeing are practiced and passed down, preserving cultural heritage

Benefits for Makers and Consumers

·      Transparency and Traceability: Knowing where and how fiber is produced builds trust and connection.

·      Unique and High-Quality Materials: Local yarns often have distinct textures and colors, appealing to those seeking authenticity.

. Healthier Products: Fewer chemicals are used in production, making end products safer for both makers and users.

If you have not visited Withers Wool and Farm, let me finish off with a short description of our practices:

·      No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used on the farm.

·      All fiber goes through a cleaning process at the farm that involves manually picking through the fiber to remove vegetable matter (skirting), cleaning the fiber with a soap (we use Eccoscour), and then putting the fiber in a tumbler.

·      If processed at the farm, the fiber is carded into a batt, which can then be felted or spun.

·      If sent to a local mill, the fiber is cleaned again at the mill (similar to how we clean it), picked, and then made into roving and following that can be spun into yarn.

·      Our sheep and goats are rotated through the various fields for their health as well as maintaining productive pastures. One practice is to graze the sheep and goats on fields in which the vegetation is at least 4 inches high, which greatly aids in parasite control as well as promotes bio-diversity and local insect, plant and animal life.

·      We strive for skin-soft luscious fiber and yarn that comes from animal breeds that have soft fine fiber (such as our Merino sheep and Angora goats), careful breeding, and stress-free happy, healthy animals.

So while navigating  today’s landscape of tariffs and supply chain issues, please consider local US farms and mills.

When you buy from US farms and mills that are committed to sustainability, and, a holistic approach to stewardship of animals, land, resources, and community, what you are paying for is the cost to deliver high quality products, good for you, the animals and the planet. It may be a good thing to take a closer look in our own backyards for the hidden fiber gems that surround us.

One last note, if you are able to do so, “come to the farm and visit the animals”.