Since it’s raining (again) and I can’t photograph my current spinning project, I thought I’d take a minute to write up a post about a very valuable resource for fiber-y folk in Ohio: The Ohio Natural Fiber Network.
From the ONFN website:
The Ohio Natural Fiber Network is dedicated to supporting Ohio fiber producers and artists, and to developing awareness of the diversity and beauty of Ohio farm yarns and fleeces. Andrea Wargo from That’ll Do Farm is the president of the organization, which was founded by Karen Burke of Places in Time farm. Our fiber farmers raise alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats and angora rabbits for their beautiful fiber. Our fiber artists dye, hook, spin, knit, weave and felt the most beautiful fiber art you’ve ever seen. Knitters, check out our Ravelry group on-line. We’re hoping you make 2011 the year you decide to “go more local” by supporting your local fiber producer or artist! We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The Ohio Natural Fiber Network was listed in the Winter 2010 Spin Off Natural Fiber Directory: a brief list of fiber sources from the US, Canada and the UK. Unfortunately the web address listed in the Spin Off directory no longer directs to the ONFN website, so it takes a little more digging to find their web presence (and for a while I was afraid they didn’t exist anymore).
I think the people at ONFN do really good and important work, they visit a lot of local area fiber festivals and were even up at River Colors Studio in Lakewood (which is a really lovely yarn store… I think I walked around in a dreamy state the first time I was there, it’s just so pretty). Ohio has a lot of fiber sources, just a fraction of those are members of ONFN, but I think one of the most important parts of their work is in raising awareness of the existence of fiber sources in Ohio. It’s also a great starting point for people who are looking for farms in their area.
Their blog lists local events, classes ads, pictures of adorable baby fiber animals and all sorts of other good stuff. In my opinion, they are a very valuable Ohio fiber resource, so check them out and sample some locally grown fiber and yarn!
Links:
Tree City Fiber Arts 
Thanks for the shout out and also the kind words about the Network.We are a group of fiber producers in Ohio trying to get the word out that you can buy wonderful local fiber, keeping your dollars in your own community. Plus, we are all fiber addicts so this allows us to stay closer to the source of our addiction!