BREEDING, Ky. — Over the past dozen years, Robin Verson and Paul Bela have successfully integrated wool fiber production into their family farm in Metcalfe County. As one of Kentucky’s longest running Certified Organic diversified farming operations, Hill and Hollow Farm’s 150 acres produce myriad products for a 50-member CSA, multiple regional farmers markets, and the family-of-five’s year-round needs. Join the Organic Association of Kentucky as Robin and Paul offer this two-hour introduction to creating home-grown, botanically-dyed wool products for market.
Robin and Paul manage a herd of 50 Jacob’s sheep and will share their experiences of pasture management, husbandry specifics, choices of breed, milling, and their personal journey of developing a local fiber product.
Within their vegetable, herb, and flower operation, Robin and Paul grow and harvest plants raised specifically for botanical dye production – primarily Japanese Indigo which will be in peak harvest season.
Out of their on-farm dye studio and certified kitchen, they culminate the process through dye production for their marketable value-added products. Robin will share the process by which they certified their farm kitchen, demonstrate the dyeing process, and offer suggestions and lessons learned on how to market your farm fiber.
Following the 2-hour glimpse into the sheep and fiber production, participants will have an opportunity to continue the conversation with Paul on an optional whole farm tour. This Field Day, geared towards production farmers, will highlight organic pastured sheep and botanical dye production. Registration is recommended. Cost is $5 OAK Members; $10 non-members.
For more information or to register visit aoak-ky.org/field-days or call (502) 517-9629.
— Organic Association of Kentucky
For more news from Kentucky, click here.