Welcome to the first episode of The Farm Reports Fiber Series, hosted by Erin Fairbanks. Erin is talking with a couple of guests so that you can learn more about textiles in the context of agriculture and raising livestock! In the first half of the episode, Erin is talking with Mary Jeanne Packer of Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill in Washington County, New York. Tune in to hear about natural wool colors, and the processes involved with selling large quantities of wool to commercial buyers. Learn about the demand for American breeds of sheep, and what that means for fiber producers. Later in the episode, Erin talks with Mary Pratt of Elihu Farm, also located in Washington County. Hear Mary talk about different applications for different textures of wool, the merits of specific breeds of sheep, and the benefits of selling to hand-spinners. This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch. Now that people are starting to understand the American breeds, the Northeast breeds, and what they can knit with them, youre just going to see that grow and grown. --Mary Jeanne Packer on The Farm Report Any wool is good wool if its taken care of. All livestock have to be herd and flock animals...Theyre social animals, and they like each others company. But theyre not dumb, but they are prey animals. -- Mary Pratt on The Farm Report