written by Phoebe Eisenbeis
Nash Lake Fiber Farm
How did you get into farming and shepherding, what was your path to this moment now?
I grew up in Lakeville and I’ve always loved animals and I always knew I wanted to do something in my life with animals or kids. I ended up getting a degree in teaching so I was a teacher for many years, an elementary school teacher and a special ed teacher. Then my husband’s job took us abroad and we lived in Switzerland for four years. Upon moving back we were looking for a small piece of land, I wanted country living and my husband wanted lake shore living and we actually found a piece of property that has both. It’s about 20 acres with part of it on a small private lake.
As far as sheep, I’ve always, always loved doing things with my hands, I’ve been very creative for as long as I can remember. My dad’s a woodworker and my mom’s a sewer. I stumbled across a yarn shop in Prior Lake where I took many classes learning how to knit. I loved working with the wool. When I visited Patti Dougherty’s farm, Holly Ridge Farm I realized how amazing it would be to make things with wool from my very own sheep and so that was my dream. And I thought this is what I can do with my farm property.
We built a barn in 2020 which has room for a small flock of sheep and I also use that space to host different events and activities. I do a lot of events at my property; I’ve always loved gathering with others, it’s always been so inspiring and relaxing to me.
Why did you get involved with Three Rivers Fibershed? And can you talk a little about how you align with the mission and goals of the Fibershed?
Three Rivers Fibershed was huge for me. They provided me with so many resources as far as how to care for the sheep and care for the land. And then I enjoy the community aspect, getting to know and talk with other shepherds and farmers. And then one way that I give back is by sharing my space for events and things. I have gatherings at least once a month if not more often and always have Fibershed members present and usually if I’m doing anything that requires fiber of any sort I am able to use fiber that I can obtain from the Stewards and help promote them too. They promote me too so it’s this big community kind of like a family. We all benefit from each other. I think I’m also one of, if not the only, Steward with Romney sheep so that helps them as well.
Can you share about the animals you are raising on your land? And anything unique or exciting about them?
It’s funny but when I started looking while not knowing much, the way they looked was important to me. I wanted the quintessential fuzzy sheep! Romney is my primary breed but I have acquired a mishmash. I have 16 sheep now: 12 Romney, 2 Southdown,1 Cotswold, and 1 Cotswold-Swiss Valais mix. The Romney fiber is just luscious, it’s really lovely to spin and it makes beautiful yarn to knit with. They come in a variety of colors, I’ve got half white or cream and half that range in shades of grays. I have my guardian llama, Sarge, he’s great. I also have 3 Angora bunnies.
What is one of your favorite parts about being a shepherd, working with animals and the land?
I really enjoy the time outside and the time with the sheep and the land. There’s so much potential, there’s so much you can do with a little bit. Plus, I think you’re doing good things for the earth which is also really important to me. There are endless opportunities with wool and what you can do with it. The other part is getting to know people, the shepherds, and the community of fiber artists out there who are using our products in the Fibershed to make the most amazing things. It’s super exciting and people in the fiber community tend to be really gracious, creative, gentle spirits and I find it really inspirational to get to know and spend time with people like that. It really fills my bucket.
I love having people come out to my farm and meet the sheep. The fact that they can know them by name or know individual animals is really neat. It grounds everybody and forms a connection to their art when they get to see where the things they are creating come from.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The first Sunday of every month we host an open event we call it Sunday Funday! People come with their fiber project they’re working on and we teach each other things and get inspired even though there is no formal class going on.
A Winter Holiday Market will be held at Nash Lake Fiber Farm, hosted by Nash Lake Fiber Farm and Badgerface Fiber on Saturday, December 2 from 12-4pm. There will be 12 vendors, including several Three Rivers Fibershed members, selling yarn, roving, handmade items, pottery, cards, antiques and vintage items and more!
