The following pieces are written by five Fibershed producer members offering their perspectives on the creation of a community-constructed sweater using Santa Cruz Island sheep wool.
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Category: Farmers
Foggy Bottoms Boys Are Changing the Farming Formula
Cody and Thomas, otherwise known as the Foggy Bottoms Boys, are seventh-generation farmers in Ferndale, California. There, where the fog hangs low in the Eel River Valley, they run a multi-species farm, including a certified humane, organic dairy for milk, cheese, and beef, sheep for fiber and meat, and pastured poultry. Going viral from their TikTok videos with 90,000 followers and 10 million views, Cody and Thomas are raising awareness about local fiber while simultaneously increasing representation and visibility for the LGBT community in the agricultural world.
Read MoreThe Extraordinary Alchemy of Sheep & Winegrowing at Littorai Wines
In Ted Lemon’s words, biodynamic farming “holds the foundation of a world enlivened by spirit — that all material is manifestation of a spiritual reality. In biodynamic farming, we work with the energies and powers of the spiritual world as it manifests in the material world. We work with celestial rhythms and specific preparations to strengthen the plants and animals.”
Read MoreFibershed 2021 Symposium: Agroforestry Panel – Sonja Brodt, Liz Carlisle, Guido Frosini, Jesse Smith
Watch a recording of the Agroforestry Panel at the Fibershed 2021 Wool & Fine Fiber Symposium.
Read MoreTakeaways From the 2021 Carbon Farm Fund Report
Bringing producers, artisans, and policy together has the potential to increase fair payments to farmers to support more ecologically sound farming practices while providing a premium product to regional artisans and creators. Read our takeaways from the 2021 Carbon Farm Fund Report to understand the variety of ways we support on-the-ground climate beneficial land-management practices for more resilient fiber systems.
Read MoreBread and Sweaters: How Grain and Grazing Benefits Food and Fiber Systems
Written by Marie Hoff Paige Green Photography Grazing and grain are ancient, connected in a relationship of survival that, through their mutual adaptation, support the varied and complex world that is life itself on this planet. Forged on grasslands and woodlands, and over millions of years, grasses — which produce grain — and livestock — […]
Read MoreRegional Fibershed Communities Adapt to Global Climate Change
What rapidly changing weather conditions mean for our regional fibersheds and how innovative farmers and ranchers are stepping up to the challenges. The largest scientific expedition in Arctic history took place last year and included 300 scientists from 20 countries. The team spent 400 days taking ice, ocean, and air samples. Lead scientist Markus Rex […]
Read MoreA Small Footprint on the Earth, A Big Impression on Farmers: How These 8 Farms Are Raising Alpacas Sustainably
The benefits of raising alpaca go beyond their provision of fiber. Alpacas are naturally gentle creatures, generating a minimal environmental footprint that enables alpaca farmers to integrate the herd into ecological restoration plans. Along the way, alpaca farmers also find meaningful connections with the animals, the land, and a close-knit community of avid alpaca lovers. […]
Read MoreHopland Research and Extension Center’s Hedgerow
Written and Photographed by Karen Rifkin Before entering the fenced-in area of hedgerow plantings, a flock of friendly rams trot up, eagerly, to see if it’s feeding time. Realizing their exertion is for naught, they just as quickly disperse back into the field at the Hopland Research and Extension Center, a 5,358-acre working ranch and […]
Read MoreCotton in Community: Field to Fashion with Acadian Brown Cotton
Written by Lauren Odom and with photography as noted This rich, intertwined story of an heirloom seed, an age-old tradition, and a bright future all began when Sharon Gordon Donnan, an experienced filmmaker, and textile conservator, spotted an old blanket while browsing at an antique sale in Washington, Louisiana. It was no ordinary blanket because […]
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