This episode includes the following segments: Yarn Lover at Large, The Back Porch, The Front Porch, Gratitude Journal. You will hear all about my trip to Washington County, NY for the annual Farm & Fiber tour. Did you know that Washington County is the most prominent producer of fiber in the state of New York? I didn’t either, until Fernanda and I began our tour. From farms to mills; from sampling local fare to holding a baby goat; from shopping to sipping and making new friends, we thoroughly enjoyed our fiber-y weekend.
Ready to visit the Cashmere sheep at St. Mary’s on the Hill.Goats are harnessed to a cart. Each can pull up to one and a half times its weight.Sister Mary Elizabeth sings to Sir Lancelot and friend.Fernanda cuddled this baby goat, which fell asleep in her arms.The idyllic barn yard at Ensign Brook Farm.“There’s a sheep under here somewhere,” said Joe the shearer, before he began shearing the fleece of this Romney.Not only does a shearer need to handle the sheep, he needs to manipulate the fleece as he works to keep it in one piece.The initial work of skirting the fleece is completed immediately after shearing.Battenkill FibersBattenkill Fibers: spinning singlesBattenkill Fibers: plyingBattenkill Fibers: full bobbinsWords to live by.The table prepared for lunch at Dancing Ewe Farm.Contented sheep munching at Dancing Ewe Farm.
Purchases
One ounce of cashmere and hand-carved napkin rings from Malawi.900+ yards Merino / Romney (DK) from Battenkill Fibers.Beautiful DK weight yarn hand-dyed by Carole of Foster Sheep Farm.
Gratitude Journal
With pen pal Fernanda.After delicious Mexican food with Fernanda, Lisa, and Tracey.
3 thoughts on “Episode 76: Farm Tour”
I’ve listened to this episode twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also did the Washington County farm tour and had lunch at the Dancing Ewe as well as came home with cheese and olive oil. IT WAS TRULY WONDERFUL. We visited about four other farms and bought some fiber. We did not get to ST. MARY’S but hope to visit there in the future.
Hi, Judy. Thank you for your kind words about this episode. Visiting St. Mary’s was truly a delight. I look forward to knitting with the cashmere, so that I can keep the memory of the visit with me!
Hi Sarah,
This was a terrific episode! I always enjoy your podcasts, but this one was extra special. I loved all the pictures of your weekend with Fernanda. Being an Episcopalian, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the St. Mary’s convent and their angora goats. I want to visit all of the stops you mentioned, but living in Georgia will make it a challenge! Maybe next year.
Thanks again,
Judy
I’ve listened to this episode twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also did the Washington County farm tour and had lunch at the Dancing Ewe as well as came home with cheese and olive oil. IT WAS TRULY WONDERFUL. We visited about four other farms and bought some fiber. We did not get to ST. MARY’S but hope to visit there in the future.
Hi, Judy. Thank you for your kind words about this episode. Visiting St. Mary’s was truly a delight. I look forward to knitting with the cashmere, so that I can keep the memory of the visit with me!
Hi Sarah,
This was a terrific episode! I always enjoy your podcasts, but this one was extra special. I loved all the pictures of your weekend with Fernanda. Being an Episcopalian, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the St. Mary’s convent and their angora goats. I want to visit all of the stops you mentioned, but living in Georgia will make it a challenge! Maybe next year.
Thanks again,
Judy