Couple who raises animals for their fiber is finding ways to help other fiber farmers
Although they both work fulltime, two U.S. veterans decided to buy some land in Kansas and begin a new endeavor a farm for specialty animals. The animals they raise produce fibers that are made into yarn.
In addition to working with the fiber, this spring, Collen and Michael McGee plan to open a gift store and purchase equipment to start processing wool at their farm, Rowantree Farm in Abilene. They also want to bring Kansas fiber producers together to form an association.
The McGees started Rowantree Farms five years ago. In addition to laying hens of all types, they raise a few cows and several types of fiber animals sheep, goats and rabbits. They also keep a couple of donkeys around to help protect their flock.
Taking farm to table one step sideways - two mills in Kansas help small ranchers take their animals wool directly to the consumer
Like other farm to table enterprises, the farm to apparel market is steadily increasing throughout the U.S. As of now, Kansas has two small mills that process the fiber from alpacas, goats and sheep.
According to the newly formed Artisan Fiber Mill Network, stationed out of Gallatin, Tenn., there are more than 125 artisan mills in the United States and Canada who provide custom processing services to the fiber industry. The group’s vice president, J.C. Christensen, who runs The Master Crafter, a fiber mill consultant organization, said in 2005 there were fewer than a dozen small specialty mills. Back then, there was only one mill in Kansas – Shepherd’s Mill, run by Sally Brandon in Phillipsburg.