Theme for this year: Quality Matters

Beginners as well as the more experienced fiber producers are sure to gain valuable hands-on skills, and knowledge with respect to fiber quality, and what to look for. You will be physically touching, feeling and seeing the difference between various fiber and fleece types in the presence of an instructor. The instructor will show and demonstrate what you need to look for in a quality fleece or fiber. You will also learn how to skirt a fleece and what the best uses are for the different fibers. There will be a sheep shearing demonstration with a commentary on what needs to be done at this stage to ensure the best quality.

Participants will go away with an understanding of the different certification programs and how they might be beneficial to their farm business.

• Challenges and Rewards of Raising Animals for High Quality Fiber
• Cornell University Small Ruminant Program - What to Expect
• Wool and other Fibers Certification Programs - What's Out There, Advantages and Disadvantages
• Impacts of Certifications - Panel Discussion: Farmers and Retailers
• Quality Exploration with Animal Fibers

Click here for conference agenda and registration.
Registration opens April 1, 2024. Fee $30 per person.
Advance registration required by June 3, 2024.
Conference is limited to the first 50 participants.
New York Veterans will have their registration fee reimbursed by the Farm Ops Program.
Registration fee includes free admission to the Central New York Fiber Festival (see below) on Sunday to explore during your 1 ½ hour lunch break. Food venders will be on site for you to purchase food.

Overnight Accommodations: Reservations and list from CNY Fiber Arts

The Central New York Fiber Arts Festival is on June 8 & 9, 2024 at the same location as the NYS Animal Fiber Conference. They expect a full complement of 120 booths filled with fleeces, yarns, fiber equipment, fiber animals and all manner of finished fiber products. They will have a full schedule of exciting lectures and workshops, a weaving competition, fleece sale, shearing demonstration, weaving booth, and children's activities. For additional information regarding the Fiber Arts Festival.