A cooperative project by small farm members of the NJ Fibershed 

 

The NJ Fibershed Blanket is made with fiber sourced entirely from small fiber farms located in the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania region.  Fibershed is a worldwide network of local fiber farmers, enthusiasts and fiber artists who are working together to farm sustainably, produce and market local products, and enhance the visibility of small farms. Fibershed is actively working to facilitate interactions between farms and to help farmers as well as fiber artists market their products. NJ Fibershed is a regional affiliate program with members in both New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

The NJ Fibershed Blanket is a new project being launched in 2021 by the NJ Fibershed.  This program is part of our mission to bring NJ fiber farmers together and to highlight locally produced fiber products grown on small NJ and eastern PA farms.  It will also provide an opportunity for small-scale fiber producers to market their fiber, by having their fiber processed and made into items that can be marketed to customers seeking local products and who want to support small support small, sustainable farms.

The blanket program is a cooperative project between small farms raising fiber animals (sheep, goats, llamas/ alpacas). Participating farms provide raw fiber (mostly wool, but mohair or llama/ alpaca fiber can be provided) sourced entirely from their own flock. Fleeces are pooled, shipped to the processing mill, washed and spun into yarn, then woven into blankets. The fibers used in producing the blankets must meet criteria for quality to ensure the final product is of the highest quality, beautiful, and enjoyable to own. Producers interested in participating: please look at the fiber quality training and fleece drop off information posted on our website calendar.

The following fiber producers are participating in the 2021 NJ Fibershed Blanket project:

Dancing Waters Farm, Hampton, NJ

Forest Bluff Farm, Lebanon, NJ

Hedgerows Farm, Califon, NJ

Middle Brook Fiberworks, Bedminster, NJ

Jenny Jump Farm, Belvidere, NJ

Smiling Dog Farm, Lumberton, NJ

Sue McGovern, Shamong, NJ

Windswept Acres Farm, Pittstown, NJ

 

For more information, contact:

Laura Chandler
NJ Fibershed Blanket Project Coordinator
Smiling Dog Farm
smilingdogfarm@comcast.net
609-784-8778