Erin Krekoski of Rock’s End Farm received a portion of the Farmer and Artist’s Grant to run a series of workshops on our ecological fibreshed.* As part of the series, participants learned how the farm raises organic Icelandic wool as part of the local fibreshed, as well as ways to support local fibre producers. Rock’s End Farm partnered with a team of master fibre artisans for each of the workshops which included, Learning to Knit: From Sheep to Cowl with Anna Beaudet, Natural Dyeing with Amanda Carrigan, How to Create a Wet-Felted Bird Pod with Diane Lemire, Peg Loom Weaving with Susan Berlin, Preparing a Raw Fleece with Susan Berlin and Traditional Padraig Slippers with Anna Beaudet.
The workshops were well attended and a great success!
*”This term refers to the fibreshed products produced through ecological agriculture. Just as people are becoming more concerned with how their food was produced, so too must we concern ourselves with how our fibres are produced. Ecological agriculture means healthy soils, better water quality, maintaining habitat for pollinators, birds, and wildlife, and a significant reduction in chemical agricultural inputs in the soil and in the animals. As a fibre enthusiast, you can help to support farmers in our region that are shifting towards more sustainable, ecological practices.”
The other recipient of the grant money was environmental artist Marc Walter. He partnered with Franktown House Flowers to demonstrate and install pollinator insect hotels. Visitors were invited to lend a hand in creating these structures. A great day was had by all.
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