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MINNESOTA, USA: 2009 is International Year of Natural Fiber (IYNF). The idea for the International Year of Natural Fibers was born after a meeting of fiber producing and consuming countries in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2006. The IYNF was officially launched on January 22nd, 2009 at the headquarters of the FAO in Rome. he International Year of Natural Fiber (IYNF).

Minnesota's 2009 Shepherds Harvest Festival has been declared an official IYNF event. By participating in this world-wide celebration, Shepherds Harvest can connect the public to local wool and to the rich cultural heritage of textile designs from all over the globe. This year vendor demonstrations, speakers and authors bring an international richness to this local festival.

Why is Wool Important?
Today wool is the world’s leading animal natural fiber. It’s fire-retardant and its complex protein structure has exceptional resiliency and elasticity. Two-thirds of the wool harvest is used in the manufacture of garments and about one-third in carpets, upholstery and rugs.
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The world’s major wool producers include Australia, Argentina, China, India, Iran, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Uruguay. Depending on the country and region, wool producers range from small farmers to large-scale commercial grazing operations. While the U.S. raises nearly 6 million sheep and lambs annually and shears about 34 million pounds of wool we provide less than 1 percent of the world’s production.

How does Shepherds Harvest fit in?
Shepherds Harvest Festival was initiated to help small sheep farms sell their wool. The festival began 12 years ago after small flock owners, whose focus was on fleece, felt overlooked at breeder gatherings more devoted to raising lamb for meat. More than half of American wool is shorn in the spring and the festival is the primary opportunity for Minnesota and neighboring small flock owners to connect their harvest with interested customers.

According to the USDA, Minnesota raises nearly 300,000 sheep annually. Shepherds Harvest shares the exact same focus as the IYNF – to raise the profile of wool fiber, to emphasize its value to the consumer and to sustain the income of farmers.

How is Shepherds Harvest Festival Going International?
The 2009 festival is host to a variety of demonstrations, speakers, musicians and vendors who are highlighting international textile techniques and heritage. A Kazakh Yurt, Peruvian Weaving Demonstration and Classes in Japanese Saori Weaving are just a few of the stimulating presentations available.

Minnesota's Shepherd's Harvest Festival is the largest sheep and wool festival in Minnesota. Held annually, each Mother's Day weekend at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN, vendors sell a full spectrum of sheep and wool related items.

It offers the only fleece competition in the state as well as hosting felting, skein and photo competitions. Its educational component includes fiber related and sheep raising classes. Demonstrations include sheep shearing, dog herding, linen-making and a natural fibers fashion show. Local authors, sheep experts, knitting designers and chefs are invited to share their sheep and wool expertise with the community.

The festival began in 1997 and is run entirely by volunteers with support from the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association. Llama Magic is held on the fairgrounds the same weekend as Shepherd's Harvest. (PRLog)