The Livestock Conservancy has long said that the way to save endangered breeds of livestock is to give them a job. In the case of wool sheep, we need to start using their wool again. Because of marketing challenges, some shepherds discard or compost the wool after their annual shearing rather than cleaning it and selling it. In addition to encouraging fiber artists to try using rare wools, the program will also educate shepherds about how to prepare their wool for sale and how to reach customers and fiber artists, thereby making it more profitable to raise heritage breeds.

How will it work?

• Fiber Artists will buy wool from rare breed Fiber Providers and get a “stamp” in their “passport.”
• They will earn prizes for completing projects.
• They will share pictures of their projects on Facebook and Ravelry.
• The more breeds they use, the more “stamps” they collect, the more prizes they earn, the more wool the providers will sell.

How will Fiber Artists find Fiber Providers?
Through the Conservancy’s online breeders and products directory

How do you get listed in the directory?
By being a Conservancy member OR by becoming a breeders directory participant.

Coming soon: Fiber Artist sign-up form