The big reveal is finally here! We've been working behind this scenes on this idea for months (and months!) Announcing a new experience at Fiber Fusion this year....Farm Fresh!
We've had this idea for a mini 'farmer's market' at a festival as a way to showcase a few of the amazing local farmers we work with and process for. Fiber Fusion is the ideal candidate; this event is a local fave, and has a reputation for community engagement, education, and farm-forward focus. The result of this idea is 'Farm Fresh' - 2 days, 4 local farm(er)s, over 12 different breeds of sheep represented, and dozens of fresh local products to peruse, all under one canopy. Each farm will have their wares available to purchase all weekend but each one will 'host' the booth for a meet and greet opportunity throughout the weekend.
The Farms
We're thrilled to have a vibrant and varied lineup for this inaugural booth. We've got farms from both halves of the state; farms with a focus on fiber, meat, regenerative agriculture, natural dyeing, and literally over a dozen different breeds of sheep. And we process for all of them! So without further ado, meet the farmers.
Parke Creek Farm // Ellensburg, WA // Shepherd: Bambi Miller
Sheep breeds: North Country Cheviot, Rambouillet, Fine wool crosses, Gotland, BFL
Products: Naturally dyed yarn, roving, dye plants - indigo, madderroot, weld etc., natural dye kits- dried mushrooms, wool pellets, dryer balls
About the farm: Parke Creek Farm is located just outside of Ellensburg in the Kittitas Valley. Bambi has a strong connection to the land and the environment, and considers herself as a steward of the land. This is reflected by her reverance for her animals; her natural dye practice; and her commitment to the health of the Salish Sea and our Southern Resident Orcas. Her farm produces pasture raised meat and eggs, wool from her sheep, organic vegetables and flowers, all available at her farmstand and the weekly Ellensburg Farmers Market.
We've known Bambi for years and finally had the opportunity to work with her unique fine wool crosses earlier this year. She's an absolute delight, engaging and full of enthusiasm for her work, so don't miss your chance to learn more from her!
Find Parke Creek at the Farm Fresh Booth
Saturday June 6th from 10am-1pm!
@ParkeCreekFarm // Etsy (ParkeCreekFarm) // Facebook
Fog & Fleece Sheepery // Bellingham, WA // Shepherd: Caroline Vandenberghe
Sheep breeds: Registered Icelandics, Shetland, and Romney
Products: Handspun and millspun yarn, roving, prepackaged scoured wool, pin cushions, felt
About the farm: Caroline and her partner took over this historic farm with a starter flock of Icelandic sheep just a year ago, and my has it grown! They've since added Shetland and Romney to their flock, with an eye towards millable, high quality fleece that showcase the best of these breeds. The farm practices regenerative agriculture, maintaining the health of the soil. Because healthy sheep make healthy fleece and it all starts with healthy soil.
We've been lucky to process for Caroline from the beginning, matching her creativity and ideas step for step to make the best use of her abundant wool. Our joint effort, Farmer's Flock, is a meaningful partnership that ensures small fiber farms continue to thrive by purchasing wool directly from the farmer. We're thrilled to have Caroline's aesthetic and fresh ideas in our community!
Find Fog & Fleece at the Farm Fresh Booth
Saturday June 6th from 1pm-4pm!
@FogAndFleeceSheepery // Website // Farmer's Flock
Carnation Farms & Fat Sheep Fiber // Carnation, WA // Shepherd: Alex Hagiepetros
Sheep breeds: Romney, Finn, Romney x Finn, and 'Avondale', a Snoqualmie Valley breed developed by the late Jeff Rogers
Products: Natural color yarn and roving, sheepskins (and raw fleeces in the barn)
About the farm: Carnation Farms, an historic dairy in the Snoqualmie Valley, has been in operation for over 100 years. The current iteration of the farm is as a nonprofit, a community-based hub for education, sustainable food systems, and regenerative farming. Alex joined the farm as their livestock manager in 2019, with the goal of growing their lamb production. Alex is a lifelong fiber artist, so selecting animals that could thrive in their region as well as make quality fleece has been their goal. Along with Taylor Pewitt, she manages their sizeable flock of sheep and a breed of miniature cattle.
Alex is one of the hardest working folks in the business, and we've been so lucky to process yarn and roving for her Fat Sheep Fiber line, typically only sold at the farmstand. But you can find it in person at the Farm Fresh booth! She's an absolute wealth of knowledge when it comes to the hard work of farming so be sure to stop by and hear all about their work at Carnation.
Find Fat Sheep Fiber at the Farm Fresh Booth
Sunday June 7th from 10am-1pm!
@CarnationFarms // Farm Website // Facebook (CarnationFarms)
Shoot The Moon Vineyard & Farm // Skagit Valley, WA // Shepherd: Kilby Bennett
Sheep breeds: Wensleydales
Products: Roving, locks, yarn, tallow soap, tallow balm, tallow butter, sheep skins
About the farm: Shoot The Moon is both vineyard and farm; started in 2021 with big ideas to grow grapes that will thrive in the Skagit Valley, they've incorporated heritage livestock which help manage and feed the soil. From ducks and geese to the longwool heritage Wensleydales, Kilby and partner Bennett wear many hats around the controlled chaos that is farm life.
We've worked with Kilby early on to help exemplify their beautiful fleeces. On the longer side, they must be shorn twice a year which means they truly are an abundant natural resource! You'll not want to miss chatting with Kilby, who has such a passion and love for her sheep.
Find Shoot the Moon at the Farm Fresh Booth
Sunday June 7th from 1pm-4pm!
@STMVineyardandfarm // Farm Website
Whew, what a lineup! When we say we work with some amazing folks, you can see we aren't exaggerating!
About Farm Fresh
The booth will be adjacent to our booth (right across from the spinning circle) in the vendor hall at Fiber Fusion, and there's a rotating 'host' throughout the weekend You'll be able to shop all the amazing products all weekend. Each farm will bring not just fiber we process for them, but loads of other goodies that come from the farm.
This is a unique setup we're trying out, as it allows each farm to bring just what they have available (which might not always be enough to fill an entire booth); to host for just a few hours rather than an entire weekend (during what is typically a very busy season for them); and to showcase the myriad of things that farms make and do to keep thriving while engaging with the community. You'll get a chance to talk to each farmer about their sheep, their products, educational opportunities, and more. We hope you'll give them all a warm welcome, and we'll see y'all soon in Monroe!
Fiber Fusion // Evergreen State Fairgrounds // Monroe, WA // June 6th 9am-6pm & June 7th 9am-5pm
@FiberFusionNW // fiberfusion.net // Facebook (FiberFusionNorthwest)
