2023 Round Table
Saturday, May 20th 8:30 am- 4:30 pm
Conversations for the Development of our Regional Fibershed
8 Breakout sessions will be held during three time slots. Attendees will only be able to attend one breakout session per time slot
Morning
Northern New England Mill Panel
Join an expert panel of mill owners and employees for a robust discussion about the existing fiber processing infrastructure in Northern New England; gaps in infrastructure, opportunities and challenges and how the Northern New England Fibershed can support the growth and sustainability of mills within our region. Amanda Kievet will facilitate a panel of regional mill professionals including Jim Grant, Good Karma, Bridgton, ME; David Ritchie, Green Mt Spinnery, Putney, VT; Sallie Whitlow, Sallie’s Fen Fibers, Barrington, NH; Travis Samuels, Zion Growers, St. Johnsbury, VT.
Regional Textiles: Connecting Fiber Farmers to Local Namebrands
If you are a fiber farmer, crafter, mill owner or regional fiber employee and are curious about what working with larger brands would look like then this panel is for you! Join us in an enlightening discussion with regional brands about the opportunities and challenges of building mutually beneficial relationships that will help reinvigorate the regional textile system in Northern New England. Laura sansone from N.Y. Textile Lab will speak about The Carborn Farm Network and her work connecting brands and farms.
Lunch
Animal Health, Fiber Quality, Skirting & Shearing
Join us to hear Katie Sullivan explain the process of raising sheep, gathering wool and making yarn. Learn about the work required to produce high quality breed-specific yarn. Katie brings her experience raising purebred Bluefaced Leicester and Border Leicester sheep, inspiring her to find unused wool from other Vermont shepherds. Since 2019, Katie Sullivan has been gathering Vermont’s unused wool to create unique yarns. In expanding her breed offering, she has been able to offer a range of yarn types suited for a variety of end uses. Bobolink Yarns offers fine, curated yarns to fibercrafters and to yarn shops. Katie will demonstrate that attention to detail at each phase of wool/fiber production results in a clean, healthy wool clip. Our discussion will inspire new shepherds, experienced breeders looking toupscale their operations and consumers who appreciate beautiful, locally grown yarns and finished products.
https://bobolinkyarns.com
The Future of Bast Fibers in New England
Let’s Talk Bast Fibers in Northern New England! Join the conversation about where progress is being made regarding bast fiber processing and what can be expected in the coming years. Laura Sullivan will be hosting a discussion of the UVM hemp fiber trials along with specimens and demonstration materials from the field.
Northern New England Producer Panel
Are you a producer within our region? Do you want to be? Join us for a discussion about the successes and challenges of current producers in Northern New England; share ideas and make connections to potential collaborators and identify ways to move toward a Fibershed business model where everyone in the supply chain gets a living wage for meaningful, enjoyable, humane work, the environment and animals benefit / regenerate / don’t suffer, and consumers can afford to purchase locally produced clothing.
Confirmed panelists: Tammy White; Wing and a Prayer Farm, https://www.wingandaprayerfarm.com, Sam Zollman; Slow Process slow-process.com Laura Jacoby; Muriels of Vermont https://murielsofvermont.com
Afternoon
Supporting Young Fiber Farmers/ Sustaining Local Wool Production
A panel discussion with young adult shepherds from VT, NH, and ME: Not all shepherds have grey hair! Join us to hear directly from young shepherds vested in local fiber production. What are they working towards and how can we support their work? Panelists include Siri Swanson and Colin Siegmund from Yankee Rock Farm, VT, Teresa and Catherine Hromis from Winding Wicks Farm, NH, and Josh Emerman and Liz Goundie from Moorit Hill Farm, ME.
Collaborating and Supporting Craft Schools in New England
Come join us for a lively discussion of the role craft schools can play in the development of the Northern New England Fibershed. What are the strengths and successes of fiber craft education in NNE? What are the challenges craft schools are facing as they look into the future? What should the priorities be for craft education in the next 5 years? How can the Fibershed organization support the work craft schools are doing and/or want to do in the future?
Waste: Wool, Water, Textiles
The waste within our regional textile economy comes in many forms. Not only should we be paying attention to the detriment that waste has on our environment and society but we also need to remember that waste is an important resource. Join us for a hopeful discussion of the opportunities within our regional textile supply chain to cherish underutilized waste wool, waste water and textile waste. Amy Dufault from the Southeastern New England Fibershed will talk about her recent work with waste water, Joe Whitten from Apparel Impact will speak about textile waste, and Kimberly Hagen will discuss her work with waste wool pellets.
Thank you to our host
Sanborn Mills Farm
Sanborn Mills Farm is a traditional working farm and craft education center in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Sanborn Mills is the fiscal sponsor of the Northern New England Fibershed and has generously donated the use of their event space for the NNEF Round Table.
A farm to table lunch, prepared by, the farm Chef Kelly Fahey is included in the price of admission. Chef Fahey is able to accommodate most dietary restrictions as long as you make them known at time of registration.
