Adding Value To Fleece - Bridging The Gap Between Farm & Yarn With Jen Hunter - Groundswell (groundswellag.com)

A pioneering farmer’s daughter with a genuine respect for rural sciences, Jen was fortunate to find a good shepherd and future husband Andrew Wear in 2004. Together we have created the opportunity to grow our family business as the ‘Fernhill Farm Experience’, offering 15000 visitors/annum the opportunity to visit and stay on our multi-purpose livestock farm focusing on ‘regenerative agricultural’ practices.

Jen says – “Wool has been my passion and concern since 2009 when the devaluation of natural fibres and promotion of synthetics left behind an excellent base material suitable for many industries. As a 2014 Nuffield Farming Scholar I researched global wool industry trends and we strive to reposition wool in society as a primary product rather than by-product from the sheep meat industry”.

This demonstration will take place at Fibreshed stand B8B

@ 4.00pm Wednesday 23rd June 2022

Jen Hunter offers a practical demonstration of gathering and throwing fleece from the shearer onto the grading tables, so it’s in the right position to be graded. You’ll learn about strength testing, grading to include skirting, removal of damaged, contaminated, and felted fibres, and how to select a fleece for processing to spin or felt. Dividing the fleece into its various qualities enables us to find a use for all parts and knowing what to look for when creating yarn batches determines what to use for yarn, what can still be used for felting, stuffing, mulching and much more!

Adding Value To Fleece - Bridging The Gap Between Farm & Yarn With Jen Hunter - Groundswell (groundswellag.com)

Groundswell takes place over two days – Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2022 at Lannock Manor Farm, a working no-till farm in North Hertfordshire, just off Junction 9 of the A1(M). The postcode is SG4 7EE.

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