Regional Fibersheds at Work - Vermont Fibershed

Our region is host to three Fibersheds working to support farmers, millers, and makers. Learn what each is focusing on here and register for a gathering of the Fibersheds in Keene, NH on May 22nd!

You know the Vermont Fibershed, but did you know about the Western MA Fibershed or the Northern New England Fibershed?

First, What is a Fibershed Exactly?

The short answer is that a Fibershed is a Buy Local Movement for clothing. You can check out this earlier post on my blog where I introduce the concept of a Fibershed and dive into more background.

But what’s important to know is that farmers, millers, fiber artists and designers are gathering together to figure out how to bring back the maker spirit in all of us around the US. Their goal is to revitalize local communities to be able to produce regional clothing. Rebecca Burgess, founder of the national Fibershed movement, reminds us with the quote below that we cannot create a dream without first envisioning it.

“Keep asking yourself what you want to see. Even daily, ask yourself what you want to see, because that will turn into a manifested world. The troubles we face are daunting, so it’s really important to give yourself time to keep dreaming.”
Rebecca Burgess

How Does a Fibershed Work?

Each Fibershed typically starts their work in one to three areas of focus such as connecting with farmers, fiber artists, and the public to share information that strengthens the community and empowers creators. Our regional Fibersheds are no different.

Our Northern New England area has three active Fibersheds – Western Massachusetts, Vermont, and the tri-state Northern New England Fibershed (NH, ME, & VT). Each of these Fibersheds is working in different areas to build capacity in the Northern New England States.

What are Fibersheds Focusing on in Our Region?

The Western Massachusetts Fibershed has a secret weapon – Peggy Hart. Peggy weaves local fibers into textiles to produce blankets or to create garments. A real treasure, she is keeping alive this craft that has become almost extinct in the area and has worked with sustainably focused designers such as Taylor Johnston of Garmine Workwear.

Across the border, the Vermont Fibershed is the educational nonprofit arm of the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival. They are developing a statewide directory which gives those interested in local fiber a way to find smaller farms that sell yarn and connect with fiber processors. Want to search a particular category?

Vermont Directories Pages – Make sure to check out the Directory Categories on the right hand side of any directory page (below Blog Categories). These categories can help zero in on farms of interest.
Mary Ewell

Hackles date from the 15th century & are used to comb out flax fibers to create linen yarn. Antique hackle shown used by Patty of Aker Farm LLC.

Finally, there is the newly launched Northern New England Fibershed (NNEF), an arm of Sanborn Farm in Loudoun, NH. NNEF is looking to find solutions to maintain the fiber farmers we have in the region and enrich farms through regenerative processes that respect the land and animals. They have a bast fiber group working on hemp and flax and are planning a Conference in the Fall, 2022. They haven’t announced it yet – so check their site or social media (@nnefibershed) for announcements!

(There are an additional two Fibersheds within the New England states – Connecticut and Southeastern New England. Find a listing of all US affiliated Fibersheds at Fibershed.org.)

How Can We Support This Work?

These Fibersheds want to connect with farmers and fiber enthusiasts or anyone that wants to wear local clothing. If you have a farm or a fiber talent or just love fiber, reach out and see how you can plug into a project or share your wisdom.

You can meet leaders from several local Fibersheds, as well as other local fiber producers, at Locally Dressed’s upcoming event “Fibersheds and Community: Building a Community Movement for Local Fiber and Beyond” on Sunday, May 22, from 11 am – 2 pm.

Fibershed & Community event will feature Vermont Fibershed’s own Jane Woodhouse!

Locally Dressed is presenting this event in partnership with Monadnock Food Co-op, Radically Rural and Stonewall Farm, “Fibersheds and Community” will be held in-person in the Grand Room at Stonewall Farm, located at 242 Chesterfield Road in Keene. There will also be an option to tune in virtually for a livestream of the event.

Speakers will include Michelle Parish of Western MA Fibershed, Katie Sullivan of Bobolinks Yarns, Lea Rossignol of Northern New England Fibershed, and Jane Woodhouse of Vermont Fibershed. They will be sharing their visions of sustainable local fiber economies, including examples from local and national Fibershed movements.

Those interested in attending the event in-person can register here, tinyurl.com/yn46pt8n

For those interested in the virtual livestream option they can register here, tinyurl.com/8yhfy3xz.

You can also get in touch directly for more information by contacting me, Mary Ewell or Megan Lafaso Hercher.

It’s a learning process for us all, which is the main reason I decided to launch my Locally Dressed challenge of 365 days wearing nothing but local. Let’s build community around fiber production and beyond!