LocalFiber Goes to the 3rd Annual HV Textile Summit

An early start to the day

Just before 6 am on Wednesday, March 20th Meg, from Wolftree Farm, messaged “On my way, want anything from Wegmans?” I had picked up snacks the night before, so I messaged back “nope, got plenty of snacks already, see you soon.” I then messaged Nancy from Ellis Hollow Farm “should be on our way soon.”

The three of us, representing LocalFiber, were heading a few hours east to attend the Hudson Valley Textile Summit at SUNY New Paltz. The summit, in its 3rd year, is an annual event hosted by the HV Textile Project, an organization from the Hudson Valley that works to support the farm to fashion fiber chain.

I had attended the summit last year and was looking forward to seeing and hearing all about what had been going on in this fiber community over the past year. One of the highlights of attending last year was meeting all the different people that make up this community. The farmers, the designers, the makers, the manufacturers, all together in one room talking about a regional textile economy. This year was to be at least as amazing especially with the Keynote speaker being Stephany Wilkes author of Raw Material: Working Wool in the West.

You Have Our Full attention

The Summit started at 9, we arrived just after 10 sadly missing the welcome and introductions by Gail Parrinello, Lilly Marsh and MJ Packer (all board members of the HV Textile Project), but thankfully just in time to hear Stephany read from her book. As we walked in it was hard not to notice a room full of people with a singular focus of attention. Everyone was carefully listening to Stephany as she read, recalling her experience as a novice shearer. Her story is hard not to admire, especially if you are a part of this community. A community where at least half of the folks would love to have her experience, to be able to say that they too took that opportunity… Instead many of us will listen and read and enjoy hearing her share her story.

After Stephany read and did a quick Q&A there was a short break before the first panel discussion of the day. (In fact, one of the most wonderful things about the summit was the breaks where everyone was encouraged to move to a different table, meet different people, and make more connections). All together there were 3 panel discussions (with ‘change-up’ breaks between each); Sustainability and Community Collaborations, Emerging Textiles Technologies and Partnerships, and Developing Collaborations and Unique Fiber Projects.

With such a variety of Discussion titles, you can only imagine the breadth of topics that were discussed. From creating a Climate Beneficial Certification in the region (Gibson Durnford of the Watershed Ag Council) to solar grazing opportunities (Caleb Scott of ASGA and Ashley Bridge of Fortunate Ewe Farm) and Local Hemp and Linen (Jeff Silberman from FIT and Dr. Jared Nelson of SUNY New Paltz). You can find a full list of topics discussed on the Summits Webpage.

Almost Time to Go Home…

By the end of the day, our minds were full and spinning. It was hard to leave, talking with folks well past the official end of the Summit. Around 5:30 Nancy, Meg and I found our way to Karma Road Café and grabbed a bite-to-eat before heading back home. We did not eat in silence instead we shared thoughts, ideas, highlights, concerns. We asked, “what could we ‘bring home’, back to LocalFiber?”

My biggest take away – nothing exists in a vacuum, we all need each other; the farmers, the makers, the manufacturers.  The HV Textile Project has done an amazing job of bringing all the different components together. Now LocalFiber must do the same. With LocalFiber being comprised mostly of fiber producers, we must make a concerted effort to build connections in the Finger Lakes and CNY, with the makers and textile manufacturers in our region.

Are you a farmer, a maker, or a manufacturer located in the Finger Lakes or CNY Region? Contact us to get involved.

(photo credits all go to the HV Textile Project Instagram page)