WASHINGTON CO., N.Y. — The Washington County Fiber Tour is pleased to once again share an amazing fiber experience in beautiful Washington County, New York. In visiting our farms and the mill, you will have an opportunity to learn about raising fiber animals and how fiber is processed for numerous uses such as yarn, roving, felting, etc. Most farms offer educational demonstrations and fun workshops throughout the weekend suitable for both adults and children. Take the opportunity to SHOP LOCAL and purchase beautiful yarns, fleeces and finished products from our farms and enjoy what makes Washington County so special. This self-guided tour of 11 farms and the fiber mill is free and open to the public.
Visit us on-line at www.washingtoncountyfibertour.org for details about the farms and specific activities being offered. Announcements about the tour are also listed on Facebook and Instagram. The Fiber Tour takes place rain or shine, and visitors should dress for the weather.
New to the tour is Eagle Eye Lane in Cambridge. Joe and Georgianna Hamilton will share their knowledge of dual-purpose sheep. Joe is a shearer and Georgie is active in 4-H and is a leader in the sheep youth group. They are both involved with the County Fair sheep barn. Their children are also active in 4-H and the fair. Joe will be shearing, and they will have demonstrations of spinning along with yarn, roving, and fleeces for sale.
Farms returning to the Tour for 2022 include Fiber Kingdom in Salem owned by Sylvia Graham who has been instrumental in educating and sharing her love and knowledge of angora rabbits, spinning and weaving. Sylvia has been involved with the Tour continuously since its inception in 1993.
Elihu Farm in Easton, one of the longest participating farms on the tour will be offering their beautiful fleeces along with restaurant quality lamb and on Saturday the Roc Day Guild will be spinning and knitting. Dancing Ewe Farm in Granville is a sheep dairy producing Tuscan style Pecorino cheese. Available for purchase will be plates of gourmet macaroni and cheese, blankets and vests and other products from their flock. Simple Pleasures Farm in Hebron will be selling beautiful yarn, roving, raw fleeces and hand-woven rugs. Lily of the Valley Farm in Shushan will have hand-dyed yarn along with fleeces and roving for sale. Wedding Hill Farm in Greenwich will showcase their registered Romney flock of 100 breeding ewes, rams, and yearlings and products made from their flock.
Alpacas of Haven Hill Farm near Greenwich will have their herd of 15 friendly alpacas available for you to meet along with the Alpaca Attic open for products to purchase. Quarry Ridge Alpacas north of Salem features award winning alpacas. Along with their herd you can meet their devoted guardian dog and barn cat and purchase fine alpaca yarns and items. Dandy Gander Farm in North Granville has a herd of approximately 50 alpacas. Along with the alpacas come meet the sheep, geese, chickens, turkeys and ducks and purchase fine alpaca items. 4 E’s Farm in Cambridge have angora rabbits, Cashmere goats, alpacas and llamas. Come visit, learn a new skill and support the 4-H bake sale.
The Battenkill Fibers Spinning Mill in Greenwich is giving tours and is a must for those who want to see and learn about fiber processing and the equipment it takes. They will also have yarn available for purchase.
–Washington County Fiber Tour