Local Fiber

Steward Spotlight #3: Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Name

Jane Hansen

Farm Name

Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Website

autumnlarchfarm.wordpress.com

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How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

When my then fiancé, now husband, Chris moved to Chicago to be with me, he made me promise that our time there was temporary. As an aside, he enjoyed that time much more than he expected :), but we set a time-frame of three years and started looking for a location to move to in Northern WI. We found a 40 acre site in Ogema, WI with a small home and I began to think about how we should make the best use of our new property. I started by growing a market garden. Then I got egg layers and meat chickens. In 2009, I started to keep feeder lambs (born elsewhere and raised here for meat). In 2012 I got my breeding stock and began to lamb here on the farm. I was 36 when I moved to the farm and 45 when I got sheep. I hadn't always thought about being a farmer. But, it was funny that when I was going through some papers a number of years ago, I found an aptitude test that I had taken when I was working in Chicago and I scored really highly on agriculture. Who knows, maybe that stayed in my subconscious and helped to steer me towards this lifestyle.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

My grandma taught me to knit when I was really, really little - like 4 or 5 years old and I learned early on that I loved to work with my hands. Getting fiber animals was just working closer and closer to the source of fiber for my love of fiber arts.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

How smart and observant farmers/livestock producers have to be to care for their animals well and make a living off their vocation.

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Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

Coopworth sheep are a relatively new breed, having been developed in New Zealand in the 1950's by crossing Border Leicester and Romney sheep. Romeldale CVM are one of the few, or maybe the only breed of sheep that actually get finer fiber as they get older rather than coarser fiber as is the norm.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

That I have figured out ways to successfully tackle the challenges that the climate, the unique characteristics of my piece of land and the animals themselves have dished out.

What does a typical day on the farm look like for you?

I get up and do a quick meditation, have a little breakfast, feed the dogs and cat and then head out to feed the sheep and ducks. In the winter that means sliding the haysled out to the sheep loaded with hay and water and in the summer that means hauling water and setting up fence to give the sheep a new patch of pasture to work on for the day. Each day is different, which I love, but a typical pattern develops that involves answering e-mails, weeding in the garden, deciding what to harvest, whether to start something in the dye-vat or skirt a fleece or card some wool for dryer balls or make a batch of soap. The weather plays into every decision and can short circuit a plan in an instant. I usually have something fermenting - kombucha all the time, and yogurt, sauerkraut, indigo (not with success, yet), suint, etc. If I'm fortunate, I have a package or packages to send out from online orders. There is usually some updating to do on my online store or blog and I try to update my Instagram feed regularly. I coordinate a fiber guild and a knitting group that each meet monthly and I like to continually learn more through webinars, reading and conferences. A little break for teatime in the afternoon is important to us. It is a rewarding lifestyle with lots of time outside and flexibility to change direction when an opportunity presents itself. Life on a farm definitely doesn't allow time to be bored!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

I was searching for ways to market my wool and came across an opportunity to attend a producer workshop being hosted by the Three Rivers Fibershed. I was thrilled with the opportunity to learn alongside other producers facing similar challenges and opportunities. I love the constraints of local fiber, local labor and local dye and the sustainability/regenerative agriculture ethic of Fibershed. I'm grateful for the education and co-promotion that Three Rivers Fibershed can provide to benefit all the member producers.

Where can we find your product?

Here on the farm, at various fiber festivals and online here.

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Favorite fiber arts activity?

I love to spin, but knitting is definitely my all-time favorite!

Favorite color?

Midnight Blue

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

I guess I'm a gregarious introvert.

Anything else you want us to know?

I hope to meet all of you face to face one of these days! In the meantime, I'm really looking forward to visiting with you all on Instagram, etc.

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All photos courtesy of Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Steward Spotlight #2: Wool & Feather Farm

Name

Melissa Todd

Farm Name

Wool & Feather Farm

Website

woolnfeatherfarm.etsy.com

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How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

Our farm story started in 2002. My husband and I had just purchased our first home with acreage. I wanted to raise ducks for eggs and maybe get a few goats, but instead we were given two sheep as a house warming gift. Sheep and fiber animals were never on my radar but now I wound't give it up.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

I first fell in love with the gentleness of our sheep, their wool was just an added bonus. The more I learned about sheep and wool the more my fascination with fiber grew. When it was time to add to our flock, one of the reasons I choose Shetlands was for their wide variety of colors and patterns.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

How fleeces can vary from year to year. How diet, stress and over all health impact the fiber they process. There is nothing better than getting those beautiful fleeces on shearing day knowing you did your part by keeping your animals healthy and happy.

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Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

We raise Shetlands. If not sheared, they will naturally shed or roo their fleeces. We like to shear early March to make sure we beat the rooing process. If left unsheared they will rub and scratch on fences to rid themselves of their wool.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the relationships and connections I have made in my community. It took some time but I was able to grow my fiber business into what I had hoped it would be. Our focus is on the health of our sheep, in return they provide the quality fiber used in our products.

What does spring on the farm look like?

In the spring the sheep are sheared and have had their first nice rinse of rain water. Time is spent watching and evaluating their conditions after winter. In late spring pasture management is important. Also, the sheep are just getting back to eating green so easing them into their new diet takes some planning. This time of year also brings lots of repairs. Winter is hard on fences and gates!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

For me Three Rivers Fibershed is a way to connect to other producers and makers around me. To share knowledge, experiences and resources.

Where can we find your product?

Wool & Feather fiber and finished goods can be found on our Etsy page and in local stores in and around the Eau Claire, WI area.

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Favorite fiber arts activity?

Weaving. I love to create woven pieces with our natural colored yarns.

Favorite color?

Changes all the time, right now yellow.

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

Introvert.

Anything else you want us to know?

We often do local farmer markets and art shows in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Check our social media pages for more details.

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All photos courtesy of Wool & Feather Farm

Steward Spotlight #1: Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio

Name

Kelly Nechuta

Farm Name

Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio

Website

http://www.namekagonvalleyfarm.com/

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How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

I have always had a love for animals and the outdoors, loved visiting my grandparents dairy farm and hanging out in the barn with the cows & kitties, going on fall hay rides with my cousins, and I've always had a thing for horses. I think the moment that stands out to me knowing I wanted to live on a farm was an early morning hay pickup with a friend in high school, loading the bales in the early morning while the rooster crowed and all the animals were waking up. Our farm has built up slowly, we started with vacant land and have been adding more every year.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

I didn't come to sheep from a fiber background, but rather as a biocontrol measure for spotted knapweed. We started with a group of Icelandic and Gotland sheep, both breeds known for browsing as well as grazing. We transitioned to all Gotland sheep when we fell in love with their gorgeous fiber and friendly personalities.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

The different voices of the sheep, and how from a distance I can identify individuals by their baaaa.

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Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

Gotland sheep are not only a beautiful pasture ornament (which, they are!) they are also multi-purpose in every aspect of their life. They produce gorgeous grey curls twice a year through shearing, and because we are up-breeding to the Gotland standard, any market lambs for gourmet meat also provide the finest sheepskin pelts, just like their traditional Swedish ancestors. We believe in honoring the whole animal and Gotland sheep allow us to treasure them for years to come.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of building our farm from scratch - taking a field of spotted knapweed and increasing the biodiversity on our land through rotational grazing.

What does a typical day on the farm look like for you?

Daily farm life changes with the seasons, which is my favorite part. There is no typical day, but part of every day is flock checks, fence checks, water and feeding, and observing. During the spring there is shearing and lambing, in the summer we are moving fences every other day for grazing, in the fall we shear again, and in the winter we make sure everyone is cozy. Right now is spring, and we are in the middle of lambing season. So we are checking them every 2-3 hours for signs of labor, monitoring the lambs and mommas, and watching our pastures grow in eager anticipation of their first days on grass. We have many projects that happen in the spring like hooking up waterline, moving fence-lines, checking electric, replacing gates, and general repair. Watching the lamb races in the evening is a staple of daily life right now! I've been posting videos in our Instagram stories if you've never seen a group of lambs race as fast as their little legs can possibly carry them!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

The mission of Three Rivers Fibershed aligns with my vision for our farm. It is exciting to connect with other shepherds around the area who share the same values and produce outstanding products right here in the midwest. Connecting with fiber artists and seeing what they create from our wool has been amazing.

Where can we find your product?

www.namekagonvalleyfarm.com - we are now shipping some stunning raw fleeces, sheepskin pelts, and other farm products!

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Favorite fiber arts activity?

Needlefelting, especially with Gotland curls

Favorite color?

Green - the color of life!

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

Mostly an introvert, but I do love talking about sheep and flowers!

Anything else you want us to know?

We also grow specialty cut flowers, market produce, and raise pastured poultry.

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All photos courtesy of Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio