Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour 2016

The signs guided our path

More Beautiful Land on Blind Buck Road

Blue skies! Moderate temperatures! A light breeze! Rolling hills!  Farms and Fiber!  This is the backdrop for our experience at the 2016 Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour.  We had the opportunity to visit several Fiber Farms in the area.  We were able to see the animals that provided the products we later bought.  We saw some beautiful landscapes and talked to some wonderful people.

Just in time for Baby Lambs!

Our first stop was at Fiber Kingdom and Moments-in-Time Creations.
 There we had our first exposure to animals and were able to pet sheep and newly-born baby lambs.  Lily greatly enjoyed petting the baby lambs.

Beautiful Farm Store

Sheep on Blind Buck Farm

We then walked to the farm store, which was very difficult to find, but after some keen detective skills, I found the credit card symbol on a door and we walked into this stunning fiber store.  They sold yarn from their Angora Rabbits and the sheep, but their main stay appeared to be weaving.  They had products from the weaving, it was gorgeous.

 We then found another barn that held the Angora Rabbits.  Sparkle was out in a cage and Lily was able to pet her.  We learned that Angora Rabbits produce just as much product in a year as sheep.  Angora Rabbits can be shorn every three months.  Also, the fur is cleaner (as the rabbits are kept in hanging cages) so more products is usable.  Although this was an effective way to breed/keep the rabbits, it did not appear to be the most sanitary of conditions.  The same building also housed ducks, chickens, and two cats.

At Blind Buck Farm, we found many treasures (once we found the store).  They had an activity where "kids" (Kym and I) could dye yarn with kool-aid.  Kym and I both made projects from this yarn later.  I made two small hearts and Kym made a rectangle!  Lily enjoyed getting in on the action, but lost interest when she saw that an adorable Angora Bunny was out to play with and pet.

She loved playing, petting, and (most notably) picking up the bunny.  She spent the whole time in the shop with the bunny.  Afterwards, Kym and I kept finding Angora bunny fibers on her sweatshirt!

Lily LOVED this Angora Bunny

Our next stop was another farm on Blind Buck Road, Birken Hill Farm & Fiber.  They had many animated creatures at this farm.  We met the famous Alpaca, Cruiser!  He likes to sniff people's hair.  We all allowed him to do this.  Some more willing than others.  We also got to meet another sheep that came right up to the fence.  Lily was okay with this until the sheep let out a loud, "BLEEHHHH."  And Lily ran away because the sheep was, "too loud."

 Kym was able to buy yarn made specifically from Cruiser.  This was a really neat feature of the tour is that we were able to purchase product and see the animals that this product was made from.
  

Sarah Getting "smelled" by Cruiser

Kym getting acquainted with Cruiser

Lily Loved Cruiser

Beautiful Scenery at St. Mary Convent

Our last stop was on the way home at St. Mary's Convent.  This farm was located in Greenwich and was known for breeding Cashmere Goats.  I actually learned for the first time that Cashmere only came from goats and not all Cashmere Goats produce Cashmere.  There are very specific guidelines to what constitutes Cashmere and what is just really soft wool.

Facts About Cashmere

The "Goat" Cart

 Lily got to play with more animals!  She loved meeting the new Herd Dog-in-training, Dixie. The dog was extremely soft and we learn at only a few months old, that she was deep in training.

 She also got to ride on a "Goat" cart with her new friend, Mica.  She was able to take a small ride down the long driveway and even "drive" the cart.

Dixie at St. Mary's Convent