Final Report: 2022 Farm & Fiber Tour

2022 Farm & Fiber Tour

The 2022 Farm & Fiber Tour was a collaboration between Three Rivers Fibershed (TRF) and Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) funded through the WFU Local Initiative Grant Program. Three shepherds, members of both WFU and TRF, hosted on-site events during August & September to engage community members in learning about local fiber systems and soil-to-soil agricultural practices.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped with these events!

Special thanks to:

• Hosts Autumn Larch Farm, Curlee Acres, and Priory Farm

• Photographers Danielle Endvick, Connor Nelson, and Kathleen Melin

• WFU & TRF staff, volunteers, and fiber demonstrators

How Do Your Socks Relate to Climate Change?

Programming for our Soil to Sock Challenge wrapped up this past fall, but we are still thinking and talking about how one of your most common garments - Socks - relate to soil-to-soil, climate beneficial agriculture and textile systems! Three Rivers Fibershed president, Maddy Bartsch, was a guest speaker at the January meeting of the Central Minnesota chapter of The Climate Reality Project to discuss the important work of regional fiber and textile systems.

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How Do Your Socks Relate to Climate Change?

Perhaps you're wondering what socks have to do with climate change, well, it turns out quite a lot! With the recent completion of the Three Rivers Fibershed's (TRF) Soil to Sock Challenge, Maddy Bartsch of TRF walks us through how the textiles we wear (yes, even your socks) intersect with a number of issues that contribute to climate change. Grab your favorite pair of socks and learn about how your socks can be a part of one solution to climate change. 

About the Speaker: Maddy Bartsch (they/she) is a farmer, educator and organizer of decentralized textile economies based in Minneapolis. Maddy has helped a broad range of clients navigate local textile economies through projects like the Minnesota Hemp Wool Project, the TRF Regional Fiber Sourcebook, the National Mill Inventory Survey, and as a Yarn Incubator for Fibershed. In addition to fiber systems, Maddy’s work includes tackling food systems as the Community Connector for the Cannon River chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association. More recently, Maddy received a Farmer-Rancher SARE grant which has enabled them to focus on 2 years of research around building a natural dye cooperative in the Midwest. Maddy speaks on the topic of local fiber systems and sustainable textiles and teaches fiber arts classes to learners of all ages throughout the Midwest. 

Sheep at Autumn Larch Farm
Photo by Danielle Endvick, Wisconsin Farmers Union

TRF steward, board member Jane Hansen receives Wisconsin Farmers Union Builders award

Three Rivers Fibershed steward and board member Jane Hansen of Autumn Larch Farm was awarded the Builders Award at the 2022 Wisconsin Farmers Union convention for her work supporting small farmers, regenerative agriculture, and the Three Rivers Fibershed. Other award recipients included Mandela Barnes, Joy Krikpatrick, Paul Adams, and Cathy Statz.

Wisconsin Farmers Union recognizes members, rural allies for commitment to family farms 

WISCONSIN DELLS – Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) honored several individuals for their dedication to family farmers at the 92nd annual Wisconsin Farmers Union State Convention Dec. 9-11th. The event drew more than 200 farmers to Wisconsin Dells for a weekend of networking, educational workshops and grassroots policymaking. 

Friend of the Family Farmer

WFU recognized two Friends of the Family Farmer, Joy Kirkpatrick and Mandela Barnes. First given in 2013, the award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in efforts on behalf of family farmers and rural communities. 

Kirkpatrick has worked in the University of Wisconsin since 1993. She began her university career as a county-based Dairy & Livestock Extension Agent. In 2004 she became the Outreach Specialist for the Center for Dairy Profitability, earning distinguished status in 2019. She has facilitated hundreds of farm succession discussions with farm families, organizing programs like "Returning to the Farm" and "Shifting Gears for Your Later Farming Years." She also helps farmers address stress and access mental health care through Wisconsin’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. Joy grew up on a hog farm in Southern Illinois.

“The work Joy has done around farmer mental health through the years has undoubtedly saved lives,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. “Her ongoing work to support family farm transitions helps ensure the future of Wisconsin agriculture.”

Von Ruden noted the WFU Board of Directors’ decision to honor Lt. Gov. Barnes was not taken lightly, given the organization’s nonpartisan nature.

“After watching Mandela reach out to family farmers and rural Wisconsinites this year during his ‘Barnes to Barns’ tour, we wanted to recognize his efforts,” Von Ruden said. “Mandela was the first candidate in a long while who truly seemed to tune into the issues that mattered on our farms and in our communities.”

Barnes, the son of a school teacher and a United Auto Workers member, became Wisconsin’s first African American Lieutenant Governor in 2019. Born and raised in Milwaukee, he attended Milwaukee Public Schools and Alabama A&M University and has become a recognized leader on issues of economic justice, racial equity, and sustainability. At age 25, Mandela was elected to the State Assembly, serving two terms.

Barnes oversaw the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, where he gave farmers a seat at the table and invited WFU to help lead the discussion. This past summer and fall, during his run for Senate, Mandela visited WFU member farms and attended WFU’s candidate roundtables that focused on small businesses and family farm issues -- even after other candidates opted to no-show. 

“Mandela truly showed up, and we look forward to seeing how he continues to show up for Wisconsin,” Von Ruden said. “We wish him all the best in his next chapter and look forward to seeing how he continues to be a Friend of the Family Farmer.”

Builders Awards

Jane Hansen of Ogema received the Builders Award, which recognizes outstanding commitment to building Farmers Union through county involvement, leadership development and member recruitment. 

Hansen is an officer of the Taylor-Price Farmers Union and shepherdess of Autumn Larch Farm, located near Ogema. She has opened up her farm to educate others about regenerative agriculture and to share the techniques she has learned in the pursuit of healthy sheep, high quality wool, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to the regional economy. This fall Hansen, who is also an active member of Three Rivers Fibershed, pulled together collaborative partners, including WFU, for the inaugural Farm and Fiber Tour. The event included tour stops on farms throughout western Wisconsin and educated community members about farming practices. 

“Jane has strengthened WFU’s visibility in her region and beyond,” Von Ruden said. “She is also active in policy discussions, educating other farmers about the value of farmed fiber for textiles. Farmers Union is stronger due to her leadership and collaborative spirit.”

Taylor-Price Farmers Union member Jane Hansen was the recipient of a Builders Award at the 92nd WFU State Convention December 10th in Wisconsin Dells.  Pictured here accepting the award from WFU President Darin Von Ruden (right).

Emerging Leader

This is the third year that WFU presented a special Emerging Leader award to an individual who has ignited energy and engagement in WFU. This year’s Emerging Leader is Paul Adams.

Until 2020, Adams and his wife, Joann, and daughter, Becky, operated a 900-cow organic dairy farm in Eleva. Adams Dairy had been in his family for nearly 150 years before a crash in the organic dairy market forced the family to make the difficult decision to sell the herd. Adams went into dairy farming after graduating from high school in 1970, starting out with 30 cows and attending the UW Short Course. 

Adams has been heavily involved with WFU’s Dairy Together efforts, attending two fly-ins with WFU in 2022 to promote the Dairy Revitalization Plan. 

“Despite his family’s loss, Paul continues to have a passion for Wisconsin agriculture,” Von Ruden said. “While many people in his situation could have turned completely away from agriculture, Paul has taken the challenges life has thrown at him and has let the adversity mold him into a strong advocate for his fellow farmers.”  

Bruce Miller Award

WFU also announced that Cathy Statz was chosen to receive the 2023 Bruce Miller award, which will be presented at the National Farmers Union Convention in San Francisco in March.

The award is named in honor of the late Bruce Miller, who was an active member WFU and served on the staff of Minnesota Farmers Union. It recognizes individuals within Farmers Union who display a true passion for family farming and rural America, while promoting the work of Farmers Union.

Statz wrapped up her Farmers Union career in 2022, after 30 years staffing and 41 summer participating in the camp program. She spent her childhood on a 50-cow dairy farm near Sauk City and grew up attending Farmers Union meetings. Prior to joining WFU full-time, Statz spent four summers working on the WFU and NFU camp staff. She dedicated her career to cooperative education and advancing the quality of life for farm families, rural communities, and all people in her work with Farmers Union.

“Cathy’s reach in Farmers Union went far beyond the education department,” Von Ruden said. “She was often the first face of Farmers Union for new members, as they dropped campers off at Kamp Kenwood, or out and about at the countless dairy breakfasts, college career fairs, and cooperative events that she attended. Cathy instilled institutional knowledge and a cooperative spirit in those around her, and left an undeniable mark on this organization.”

Statz moved to Poland with her husband, Tom. He teaches at an international school; she continues to work remotely on projects that fit her passion: cooperative education. 

Learn more about WFU’s work on behalf of family farmers at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com.  

Winter Market

The Three Rivers Fibershed (TRF) Winter Market will be held at Nash Lake Farm in Webster MN on Saturday, December 3rd from 2-6pm. The theme for this event is a European Winter Market, and will focus on local fiber and gifts, local food items, and building community.

Address: 25545 Fairlawn Avenue Webster, MN, 55088

Shop a variety of local fiber goods including yarn, roving, wool fleeces, naturally dyed wool, wool filled bedding, rugs, dryer balls, pelts, ornaments, kits, and more! There will also be horse and wagon rides by Burning Daylight Draft Farm!

Give to the Max Day!

Give to the Max Day
November 17th!

2022 Farm & Fiber Tour @ Curlee Acres
photo by Kathleen Melin

Join us in providing mutual aid so that all people have access to their local fibershed!

Your support this Give to the Max Day helps us continue to make participation in Three Rivers Fibershed programs as equitable and inclusive as possible.

Some may find the cost of participating in the fiber art prohibitive. Three Rivers Fibershed offers sliding scale classes, but the cost of quality, small-batch yarns and spinning fibers from our agricultural stewards and tools, such as knitting needles and spindles for spinning yarn, adds up. We seek to provide mutual aid, so that funds for materials are not a barrier to participation.

We are excited to be on this journey to sustainable fiber systems with you! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at hello@threeriversfibershed.org

Farm and Fiber Tour!

Farm & Fiber Tour: August - September 2022

Join Three Rivers Fibershed (TRF) and Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) local chapters for a series of on-farm events highlighting local fiber farms, soil-to-soil farming practices, and regional textile systems in Wisconsin! Featuring WFU and TRF members/stewards, attendees will have the chance to connect with local farms and shepherds engaging in climate-beneficial, pasture-based farming practices and learn about TRF and WFU and their work to support farmers and cooperative efforts to promote local agricultural systems!

Events will feature farmer-led pasture walks; hands-on fiber activities; educational booths hosted by partner organizations; and wool, roving, and other products for sale.

• Saturday, August 6th, 2-5pm - Autumn Larch Farm (Taylor-Price Chapter)
  W7120 County Road O, Prentice WI 54556

• Saturday, August 27th, 9:30 am -12:30 pm - Curlee Acres (Polk-Burnett Chapter)
  159th Ave & 160th St., Balsam Lake, WI 54810

• Sunday, September 25th, 3-6pm - Priory Farms and Kubb Farm (Eau Claire Chapter)
  5001 William Ct. Eau Claire, WI 54701
  
  

The Farm & Fiber Tour is a free event open to all community members. Additional details for each event can be found on our Events page.

The Farm & Fiber Tour is a partnership between Three Rivers Fibershed and WFU local chapters in Taylor-Price, Polk-Burnett, and Eau Claire counties and is supported with funding from the WFU Foundation Grant and Local Initiative Grant programs.

Soil to Sock Challenge: November 2021-November 2022

What is the Soil to Sock Challenge?

It's a collaborative endeavor aimed at bringing awareness to the life-cycle of our textiles seen through the perspective of one of our most utilitarian garments, socks!

It's an invitation to deepen your understanding of our local fiber region by connecting with local fiber stewards and making/mending your own pair of socks using locally grown fiber.

Together community members, makers, and fiber stewards will have the opportunity to engage in programming and classes focused on sustainable textiles along the entire soil-to-soil cycle including mending, knitting, spinning, composting and more!

Our programming will run from November 2021 through November 2022. Throughout the challenge you can read more about our classes and engage with other community members through our page on Mighty Networks and through our social media accounts and website.

How do I get involved?

• Make your own pair of socks! We are encouraging everyone to create (or mend) your own pair of socks with local fiber from your fibershed!

  • Our Fiber Guide is a comprehensive source of fiber available from Three Rivers Fibershed Stewards. Learn about the different fiber products available and find one (or many!) that will be perfect for your own Soil to Sock challenge project!

  • Share your progress with us on social media. We would love to see what you’re making! You can tag us on Instagram @threeriversfibershed and use the hashtag #soiltosockchallenge to share your progress and see what others are working on as well.

• Learn about the importance and benefits of local fiber through our virtual class recordings. Fiber Fundamentals and the Sock Composting Salon are available for purchase on our website at any time. You will receive a link to the class recording once you’ve registered so you can watch (and re-watch) these at any time!

• Follow our Events page and Classes for upcoming programming.
  

Questions or ideas? Email us at programs@threeriversfibershed.org

Steward Spotlight #3: Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Name

Jane Hansen

Farm Name

Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Website

autumnlarchfarm.wordpress.com

How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

When my then fiancé, now husband, Chris moved to Chicago to be with me, he made me promise that our time there was temporary. As an aside, he enjoyed that time much more than he expected :), but we set a time-frame of three years and started looking for a location to move to in Northern WI. We found a 40 acre site in Ogema, WI with a small home and I began to think about how we should make the best use of our new property. I started by growing a market garden. Then I got egg layers and meat chickens. In 2009, I started to keep feeder lambs (born elsewhere and raised here for meat). In 2012 I got my breeding stock and began to lamb here on the farm. I was 36 when I moved to the farm and 45 when I got sheep. I hadn't always thought about being a farmer. But, it was funny that when I was going through some papers a number of years ago, I found an aptitude test that I had taken when I was working in Chicago and I scored really highly on agriculture. Who knows, maybe that stayed in my subconscious and helped to steer me towards this lifestyle.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

My grandma taught me to knit when I was really, really little - like 4 or 5 years old and I learned early on that I loved to work with my hands. Getting fiber animals was just working closer and closer to the source of fiber for my love of fiber arts.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

How smart and observant farmers/livestock producers have to be to care for their animals well and make a living off their vocation.

Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

Coopworth sheep are a relatively new breed, having been developed in New Zealand in the 1950's by crossing Border Leicester and Romney sheep. Romeldale CVM are one of the few, or maybe the only breed of sheep that actually get finer fiber as they get older rather than coarser fiber as is the norm.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

That I have figured out ways to successfully tackle the challenges that the climate, the unique characteristics of my piece of land and the animals themselves have dished out.

What does a typical day on the farm look like for you?

I get up and do a quick meditation, have a little breakfast, feed the dogs and cat and then head out to feed the sheep and ducks. In the winter that means sliding the haysled out to the sheep loaded with hay and water and in the summer that means hauling water and setting up fence to give the sheep a new patch of pasture to work on for the day. Each day is different, which I love, but a typical pattern develops that involves answering e-mails, weeding in the garden, deciding what to harvest, whether to start something in the dye-vat or skirt a fleece or card some wool for dryer balls or make a batch of soap. The weather plays into every decision and can short circuit a plan in an instant. I usually have something fermenting - kombucha all the time, and yogurt, sauerkraut, indigo (not with success, yet), suint, etc. If I'm fortunate, I have a package or packages to send out from online orders. There is usually some updating to do on my online store or blog and I try to update my Instagram feed regularly. I coordinate a fiber guild and a knitting group that each meet monthly and I like to continually learn more through webinars, reading and conferences. A little break for teatime in the afternoon is important to us. It is a rewarding lifestyle with lots of time outside and flexibility to change direction when an opportunity presents itself. Life on a farm definitely doesn't allow time to be bored!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

I was searching for ways to market my wool and came across an opportunity to attend a producer workshop being hosted by the Three Rivers Fibershed. I was thrilled with the opportunity to learn alongside other producers facing similar challenges and opportunities. I love the constraints of local fiber, local labor and local dye and the sustainability/regenerative agriculture ethic of Fibershed. I'm grateful for the education and co-promotion that Three Rivers Fibershed can provide to benefit all the member producers.

Where can we find your product?

Here on the farm, at various fiber festivals and online here.

Favorite fiber arts activity?

I love to spin, but knitting is definitely my all-time favorite!

Favorite color?

Midnight Blue

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

I guess I'm a gregarious introvert.

Anything else you want us to know?

I hope to meet all of you face to face one of these days! In the meantime, I'm really looking forward to visiting with you all on Instagram, etc.

All photos courtesy of Autumn Larch Farm LLC

Steward Spotlight #2: Wool & Feather Farm

Name

Melissa Todd

Farm Name

Wool & Feather Farm

Website

woolnfeatherfarm.etsy.com

How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

Our farm story started in 2002. My husband and I had just purchased our first home with acreage. I wanted to raise ducks for eggs and maybe get a few goats, but instead we were given two sheep as a house warming gift. Sheep and fiber animals were never on my radar but now I wound't give it up.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

I first fell in love with the gentleness of our sheep, their wool was just an added bonus. The more I learned about sheep and wool the more my fascination with fiber grew. When it was time to add to our flock, one of the reasons I choose Shetlands was for their wide variety of colors and patterns.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

How fleeces can vary from year to year. How diet, stress and over all health impact the fiber they process. There is nothing better than getting those beautiful fleeces on shearing day knowing you did your part by keeping your animals healthy and happy.

Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

We raise Shetlands. If not sheared, they will naturally shed or roo their fleeces. We like to shear early March to make sure we beat the rooing process. If left unsheared they will rub and scratch on fences to rid themselves of their wool.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the relationships and connections I have made in my community. It took some time but I was able to grow my fiber business into what I had hoped it would be. Our focus is on the health of our sheep, in return they provide the quality fiber used in our products.

What does spring on the farm look like?

In the spring the sheep are sheared and have had their first nice rinse of rain water. Time is spent watching and evaluating their conditions after winter. In late spring pasture management is important. Also, the sheep are just getting back to eating green so easing them into their new diet takes some planning. This time of year also brings lots of repairs. Winter is hard on fences and gates!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

For me Three Rivers Fibershed is a way to connect to other producers and makers around me. To share knowledge, experiences and resources.

Where can we find your product?

Wool & Feather fiber and finished goods can be found on our Etsy page and in local stores in and around the Eau Claire, WI area.

Favorite fiber arts activity?

Weaving. I love to create woven pieces with our natural colored yarns.

Favorite color?

Changes all the time, right now yellow.

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

Introvert.

Anything else you want us to know?

We often do local farmer markets and art shows in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Check our social media pages for more details.

All photos courtesy of Wool & Feather Farm

Steward Spotlight #1: Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio

Name

Kelly Nechuta

Farm Name

Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio

Website

http://www.namekagonvalleyfarm.com/

How did you get into farming and what age did you decide you wanted to live on a farm?

I have always had a love for animals and the outdoors, loved visiting my grandparents dairy farm and hanging out in the barn with the cows & kitties, going on fall hay rides with my cousins, and I've always had a thing for horses. I think the moment that stands out to me knowing I wanted to live on a farm was an early morning hay pickup with a friend in high school, loading the bales in the early morning while the rooster crowed and all the animals were waking up. Our farm has built up slowly, we started with vacant land and have been adding more every year.

What made you want to have fiber animals?

I didn't come to sheep from a fiber background, but rather as a biocontrol measure for spotted knapweed. We started with a group of Icelandic and Gotland sheep, both breeds known for browsing as well as grazing. We transitioned to all Gotland sheep when we fell in love with their gorgeous fiber and friendly personalities.

What surprised you the most about raising fiber animals?

The different voices of the sheep, and how from a distance I can identify individuals by their baaaa.

Tell us something unique about your breed of fiber animal.

Gotland sheep are not only a beautiful pasture ornament (which, they are!) they are also multi-purpose in every aspect of their life. They produce gorgeous grey curls twice a year through shearing, and because we are up-breeding to the Gotland standard, any market lambs for gourmet meat also provide the finest sheepskin pelts, just like their traditional Swedish ancestors. We believe in honoring the whole animal and Gotland sheep allow us to treasure them for years to come.

From a farming/shepherding perspective, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of building our farm from scratch - taking a field of spotted knapweed and increasing the biodiversity on our land through rotational grazing.

What does a typical day on the farm look like for you?

Daily farm life changes with the seasons, which is my favorite part. There is no typical day, but part of every day is flock checks, fence checks, water and feeding, and observing. During the spring there is shearing and lambing, in the summer we are moving fences every other day for grazing, in the fall we shear again, and in the winter we make sure everyone is cozy. Right now is spring, and we are in the middle of lambing season. So we are checking them every 2-3 hours for signs of labor, monitoring the lambs and mommas, and watching our pastures grow in eager anticipation of their first days on grass. We have many projects that happen in the spring like hooking up waterline, moving fence-lines, checking electric, replacing gates, and general repair. Watching the lamb races in the evening is a staple of daily life right now! I've been posting videos in our Instagram stories if you've never seen a group of lambs race as fast as their little legs can possibly carry them!

What made you want to be a part of the Three Rivers Fibershed?

The mission of Three Rivers Fibershed aligns with my vision for our farm. It is exciting to connect with other shepherds around the area who share the same values and produce outstanding products right here in the midwest. Connecting with fiber artists and seeing what they create from our wool has been amazing.

Where can we find your product?

www.namekagonvalleyfarm.com - we are now shipping some stunning raw fleeces, sheepskin pelts, and other farm products!

Favorite fiber arts activity?

Needlefelting, especially with Gotland curls

Favorite color?

Green - the color of life!

Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?

Mostly an introvert, but I do love talking about sheep and flowers!

Anything else you want us to know?

We also grow specialty cut flowers, market produce, and raise pastured poultry.

All photos courtesy of Namekagon Valley Farm & Studio