New York State Fiber Conference
Sunday, June 9, 2024
9:30 am to 4:00 pm (sign in 9:00 am)
Butternut Hill Campground, 6893 US Route 20, Bouckville NY 13310
Theme for this year: Quality Matters
Beginners as well as more experienced fiber producers are sure to gain valuable hands-on skills and knowledge with respect to fiber quality, and what to look for. You will be physically touching, feeling and seeing the difference between various fiber and fleece types in the presence of an instructor. The instructor will show and demonstrate what you need to look for in a quality fleece or fiber. You will also learn how to skirt a fleece and what the best uses are for the different fibers. There will be a sheep shearing demonstration with a commentary on what needs to be done at this stage to ensure the best quality.
Participants will go away with an understanding of the different certification programs and how they might be beneficial to their farm business.
2nd Annual NYS Animal Fiber Conference – “Focus on Quality”
Co-located with CNY Fiber Festival, Bouckville, NY - Sunday June 9, 2024
Preliminary Agenda – as of 4/15/2024
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9:00 – 9:25 |
Check in |
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9:25 |
Welcome: Russ Welser, CCE |
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9:30 – 10:10 |
Challenges and Rewards of Raising Animals for High Quality Fiber: Robin Nistock |
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10:10 – 10:30 |
Change in Leadership for the Cornell Small Ruminant Program - What to Expect: Jessica Waltemyer |
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10:30 – 10:40 |
Round up of the several Different Certification Programs available for wool and other fibers: What’s out there, advantages and disadvantages? |
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10:40 – 11:40 |
Panel discussion of farmers and retailers on impacts of certification |
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Invited panelists: Ben Wood (USDA-funded carbon farming), Heather Warren (NY Grown & Certified), Gail Parrinello (NY Grown & Certified), Christine Hulse (Clean Cashmere), Leslie Oliver (Alpaca standards) |
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11:40 – 12:00 |
NY Grown & Certified Program for Fleece and Fiber: Kathryn Davis, NYS Dept of Ag & Markets |
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What are the requirements for participation? How to sign-up? What are upcoming grant opportunities available to program participants? |
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12:00 – 1:30 |
Lunch (not included) and Explore the Festival: On your own |
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1:30 – 4:00 |
Hands-on Quality Exploration with Animal Fibers: How to Handle, What to Look for in sorting and classing; and Best Uses of various Fibers? |
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Divide into six groups and rotate around through these experiences: |
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Shearing Demo with Commentary: Jim Baldwin |
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Skirting table – Fine Wool: Amy Glaser |
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Skirting table – Medium Wool: MJ Packer and CeCe Tkaczyk |
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Skirting table - Long Wools: Heather Warren |
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Skirting Table Mohair and Cashmere: Pamela Haendle |
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Skirting Table Huacaya and Suri alpaca: Leslie Oliver |
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Sign up to participate in monthly NY Fiber Farmers Farmer Zoom discussions |
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Complete evaluation |
Registration opens April 1, 2024. Fee $30 per person.
Advance registration required by June 3, 2024.
Conference is limited to the first 50 participants. New York Veterans will have their registration fee reimbursed by the Farm Ops Program.
Registration questions contact Dara Boudreaux tff24@cornell.edu
Registration fee includes free admission to the Central New York Fiber Festival (see below) on Sunday to explore during your 1 ½ hour lunch break. Food venders will be on site for you to purchase food.
Overnight accommodations:
https://www.reservations.com/hotels/bouckville-ny and https://cnyfiberarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hotel_list.pdf
Bouckville, NY 13310
United States
| Event Fee | $30.00 |