If you’re interested in supporting local indigenous wool projects take a look at the Rainbow Fiber Co-op in New Mexico.
The Rainbow Fiber Co-Op plans to purchase 3,000 pounds of wool from three of the largest flocks of Dibé dits’ozí (Navajo-Churro sheep) on the Navajo reservation. The project will give shearers stipends, pay a fair price to the shepherds for their wool, and pay for spinning the wool into Navajo-style weaving yarns at Mora Valley Spinning Mill, a nonprofit community-based wool mill located in Mora, New Mexico.
An Indigenous-Led Co-Op Organizing a Navajo Wool Buy, Yarn Production, and an E-Commerce Website
We are seeking grants and private donations to raise approximately $82k to fully fund the Rainbow Fiber Co-Op for 2021. As of June 30, 2021 we are pleased to announce we have received $20k in grant funding and $34k from private donors. We have approximately $28k left to raise by November 1, 2021.
Our first year budget includes a stipend to the shepherds for shearing help, a fair price for their raw wool by the pound, mill processing for 1,800 pounds of yarn (estimated yield from 3,000 pounds raw wool), the creation of an e-commerce website, and legal and administrative fees for the formation of a registered agricultural co-operative.
We will use the funds generated by yarn sales to support the project again in 2022. This one-time investment in establishing an online marketing channel will create a reliable and self-sustaining cycle of economic benefit for our shepherds and their flocks.
We are collecting private donations through our fiscal sponsor, Fibershed.org. Fibershed is a California non-profit corporation exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation will be fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a letter of confirmation for your records.
Thank you for supporting the creation of Rainbow Fiber Co-Op!
Text source and to donate: https://rainbowfibercoop.org/pages/donate