On the evening of December 16, 2023, we gathered at Hillfolk Textile Studio + Shop’s pop-up location in Springdale, AR to discuss our regional fiber system. The panel, organized by Ozark Fibershed and moderated by Lindi and I (Abby), featured Bea Apple, Olivia Clanton, Linda Coffey, and Brandy Lee.

We discussed our fiber system from farm to fashion, identifying existing bright spots and the challenges that have prevented a fully local fiber supply chain. These challenges include financial and workforce limitations, the absence of an accessible fiber mill, and a lack of connection across the supply chain, among other things. The bright spots include a growing interest in craft, sustainability, and localization, along with a history of regional fiber systems kept alive by key practitioners and organizations.

We concluded the conversation by asking the panelists what exactly would be necessary to achieve the fiber system of their dreams. Their answers were as follows.

Bea Apple, owner of Hillfolk: a culture for people to create freely and without pressure of particular outputs

Linda Coffey, small ruminant farmer and livestock specialist: an accessible pipeline for wool to be made into something useful and marketable after shearing (e.g. fiber mill)

Brande Lee, local fashion designer: a local fabric supply and educated consumers who understand and value the labor associated with creating textiles and garments

Olivia Clanton, fiber artist and educator based in Fayetteville, AR: the unlearning of competition and embracing of community in craft

Kathy Sparks and Alice McKee*: a way for fiber artists to connect with local fiber producers to purchase and use their wool, along with a community with the skills to process and utilize local fiber

*Kathy Sparks and Alice McKee serve on the Board of Directors at Ozark Folkways, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, development, instruction, and celebration of regional arts and crafts. Although they were not panelists, they brought some great thoughts to the table.

We walked away from the panel feeling excited and hopeful for the future of Ozark fiber. Thank you to each of our panelists for sharing your unique insight and to all those who attended for your interest and support in this journey.

In pursuit of the aforementioned goals, Ozark Fibershed is compiling a directory of regional fiber folks, along with a calendar of regional fiber events. If you are interested in including yourself, your organization, or your events in either, please don’t hesitate to reach out.