Farm Ops Supports Veteran Attendance to the NYS Fiber Conference

Farm Ops, the Cornell Small Farms Program’s veteran project, supported veteran attendance at the annual New York State Fiber Conference, helping farmer veterans develop new skills, explore value-added products, and connect with others in the fiber industry.

The conference provided fiber producers of all experience levels with hands-on skills and knowledge about fiber types and qualities, fleece characteristics, marketing channels, and the fiber supply chain. Veteran Walt Silva attended the conference to deepen his understanding and support his farm business decisions.

“The conference introduced me to local processing and selling of fiber products and was a great introduction for a beginner to the fiber industry,” Silva said.

Veteran farmers David and Mary DeLaMater of Dough Haven Farm initially intended to spin and weave cashmere themselves. However, after attending the conference, they realized the time investment was too great. The event connected them with others in the fiber world, leading them to decide to sell their raw fleeces to a cashmere company while practicing felting with scrap fiber.

“If it weren’t for these low-cost programs, we would not have been able to come up with many of the solutions for processing and marketing our goats’ fiber,” the DeLaMaters said. “By supporting skilled instructors, providing materials, and facilitating spaces for learning and connectivity, Farm Ops empowers veterans to explore new creative outlets, develop ideas to further expand farm businesses, and build a strong community of veteran farmers.”

Farm Ops’ support for veteran attendance at the NYS Fiber Conference helped veterans gain critical industry knowledge and forge connections that will continue to benefit their farm businesses.