Washington County Fiber Tour this weekend
GREENWICH, N.Y. » Washington County has been a vibrant center for wool and fiber production since the early 1800s.
Area residents are invited to visit nine local farms and a mill during this weekend’s 26th annual Washington County Fiber Tour.
Sites will be open, free of charge, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the self-guided tour.
“This time of year is so exciting for all of the farms involved,” said tour committee Chair Judy Leon, owner of Alpacas of Haven Hill in Greenwich. “I love interacting with the public and seeing families that come back to our farm year after year to find out what’s new and how our herd has grown. They are fascinated with the baby animals, with the farming equipment and buildings, and with the beauty of the Washington County countryside.”
Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill, in Greenwich, has been on the tour since 2011. Visitors may get a behind-thescenes look at how fiber is processed, which is critical to the industry. Guests can observe yarn-making, see and hear manufacturing equipment run, and learn more about the skilled labor needed to turn shorn fleeces into premium yarn for knitting or weaving.
Ensign Brook Farm, in Greenwich, known for premium quality natural colored Romney, Cormo, and Merino sheep and fleeces, is a popular tour stop. Owner Karin Kennedy is also the Washington County 4-H Sheep and Kids Club leader.
This year for the first time, 4-H Club members and their families will be serving an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast on Sunday.
“This will be a good opportunity not only to raise funds for the club’s educational activities, but also to provide a place for tour participants who want to take a break and enjoy a traditional taste of Washington County,” Kennedy said. “The breakfast will feature locallyproduced maple syrup.”
While wool from sheep may be the best-known animal fiber, Washington County prides itself on the diverse farms that raise everything from angora rabbits and cashmere goats to alpacas and several breeds of sheep.
Other farms on the tour include are Dancing Ewe sheep farm in Granville, Truthville Fiber Farm alpacas in North Granville, Quarry Ridge alpacas in Salem, Fiber Kingdom Angora rabbits in Salem, Moments in Time sheep farm in Salem, St. Mary’s on the Hill cashmere goats in Greenwich, and Elihu sheep farm in Easton.
Many of the tour’s fiber farmers exhibit their animals and products nationally, where they have won major awards at events like the Eastern States Exposition, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, the New England area North American Cashmere Goat Show, the Empire Alpaca Extravaganza, and the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival.
Visitors may interact with farm owners and ask questions about their animals and fiber’s many uses.
People are also encouraged to learn about fiber arts and try their hand at a new craft technique. Most farms offer educational demonstrations and fun workshops throughout the weekend, showcasing a variety of fiber arts suitable for children and adults.
Demonstrations include sheep shearing, sheepdog herding, felting, dyeing, spinning, finger puppets, and more. Children and adults enjoy seeing newborn lambs, goat kids, alpaca crias, and other baby animals found on many of the farms.
For visitors who want to buy local, the on-farm shops, studios, and fiber mill store all offer quality products for sale. Fleeces, roving, and yarns, as well as many finished articles are available at most locations along the tour; and several farms have livestock for sale, as well.
The Fiber Tour takes place rain or shine and visitors should dress for the weather.
For information including a map and directions, and a schedule of activities at each farm go to: www. washingtoncounty fibertour.org.