Annual Report •2013_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In January of 2013, at the Ecological Farming Conference, Fibershed set up a table to recruit small and mid-scale

organic ranchers and farmers to help us research our wool supply. At the tail end of 2012 we had been posed the question, “Can we build a mill, and localize our fiber economy?” Knowing that smaller milling operations were percolating already—our organization took on the larger question, “What is the quality of our state’s wool supply, and could we dress our community with what we grow.” Our approach was about assessing and understanding the existing fiber system and researching a technical roadmap for how that fiber could be optimally utilized.

We worked with eight Sustainable Agriculture System interns from UC Davis, four sheep shearers, and after a lot of road-trips and in person interviews…we completed the first qualitative and quantitative analysis ever done for a state’s wool supply. The conclusion was that our wool was in fact high enough quality to warrant the production of high performance wool cloth, and we went about researching the optimal system to accomplish the task. Taking into account the issues of our water constrained systems in California, and our urgent responsibility to our climate, we developed a technical roadmap for creating a carbon-beneficial garment in a water-recycling milling facility that could be operated through the legal architecture of a multi-stakeholder cooperative. Once we configured the technical processes for this endeavor, we came to the conclusion that this ‘mill vision’ would require ‘stepping stones.’ The demand for higher priced cloth must be fully developed, and smaller milling facilities are needed to ‘prove the concept’ of the financial viability of locally grown textiles. A talent acquisition process is also necessary to ensure the appropriate leadership for running complex milling systems.

Fibershed’s involvement in these next steps include continued research and pilot demonstrations—including a primary focus on agro-ecology research, where we are involved in sourcing and honing strains of natural fibers that we can grow to extend the use of our wool resources, and to mitigate the need for washing wool with highly toxic materials. We also seek to develop new models for natural dye farming and processing. We are working with engineering partners to create a scaled-down prototype mill that can blend wool with other ‘homegrown’ fibers. We continue our strong education and outreach campaign to our larger community on the true value of our fiber systems—which in turn has developed an educated populace that has already begun to request that locally grown and sewn be made available—if not by their own hands, they are calling for systems that will supply and support their growing desire for local clothing.

To further demonstrate our bioregional clothing model, and enrich our community building process, we facilitated the second round of Fibershed prototypes with a team of 30 designers and a handful of local ranchers (all living within 150 miles of one another). These teams of

Letter from the Executive Director

California Sheep Flock and Wool Quality Map, from the Fibershed California wool supply analysis, 2013.

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urban and rural talent created the most beautiful Fibershed pieces to date, all of which were featured at a Gala Event on December 14th where over 200 members of the community came to feast on local food and were invited to wear local fiber. It was said by many in attendance, that the evening provided a living and breathing model of a harmonious future.

In 2014 we are furthering our work at the focal point where fiber systems and climate change intersect. After an eye-opening life-cycle analysis that was completed for us in 2013 by UC Berkeley scientist Dr. Marcia DeLonge, it was shown that fiber farmers and ranchers that follow simple protocols to enhance soil carbon on the lands they manage can be a major contributor to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. A ½-inch layer of compost applied one time on the land where sheep, goats and alpaca graze will sequester one metric ton of CO2 per hectare per year for 30 years, without any re-application. Once the carbon credit is moved through the milling processes we designed in our ‘wool mill vision,’ the final output is carbon beneficial garments—from the application of compost on the soil, to the managed grazing of the fiber animals, to the mill’s use of alternative energy and water recycling, 70 pounds of CO2 will have been sequestered into the soil, compared to a conventional equivalent where 75 pounds of CO2 has been released into the atmosphere from soil mismanagement and the use of fossil fuel derived energy and chemicals in manufacturing.

We are now moving forward to support our farming and ranching community with the latest information on financial incentives for carbon farm plans and in 2014 we will be designing easy to follow guidelines and educational materials to support the shift towards carbon sequestering pasture and rangelands. For the sake of our climate and all that depends on its balance and stability—we feel the call to action to participate in solutions that reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, heal our land, while providing humans the clothes they need.

Thank you for your support and your care… here’s to a beautiful and productive 2014.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Burgess

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Economic Development

Fibershed’s Wool Supply Analysis provided a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the California wool supply. The analysis illuminated a surprisingly high quality of wool, most of which is the appropriate caliber for cloth creation, as shown in this graph of Fibershed inventory by micron count.

Our Wool Mill Feasibility Study provides a series of building blocks for constructing a facility that can produce net carbon beneficial garments, and in partnership with good land-management practices we are able to show the potential for climate change solutions to be offered through the creation and consumption of durable goods. We have designed as the ‘Soil-to-Soil’ model.

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17-20.5micron

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

23,105

20.6-21.9micron

269,706

22-23.9micron

24-29.9micron

30-40micron

689,533

331,340

75,729

■ 17 - 20.5 micron

■ 20.6 - 21.9 micron

■ 22 - 23.9 micron

■ 24 - 29.9 micron

■ 30 - 40 micron50%

24%19%

2%5%Fibershed Inventory by Micron Count

U.S. Average Clean Wool Prices

Fibershed Inventory by Micron Count

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Source: USDA/AMS, ASI

$ PER LB.CLEAN

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

U.S. Average Clean Wool Prices U.S. Exports for Textiles and Apparel

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Source: USDA/AMS, ASI Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel

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■ quantity available (lbs.)

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➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➎ ➏ ➐

➊ Conventional Realistic: CA grid-derived energy, slightly higher C footprint relative to other cases due to loss in soil C, synthetic fertilizer use, higher transportation costs

➋ Conventional Optimistic: CA grid-derived energy, but no increase in soil C

➌ Fibershed Neutral Soil: geothermal-derived energy, but no increase in soil C

➍ Fibershed Conservative: geothermal-derived energy, good land management increases soil C at a more conservative rate than Case7

➎ Fibershed Realistic: geothermal-derived energy, conservative compost credit, good land management increases soil C at a more conservative rate than Case7

➏ Fibershed Possible: solar-derived energy, conservative compost credit, good land management increases soil C at a more conservative rate than Case7

➐ Fibershed Optimistic: solar-derived energy, optimistic compost credit, good land management increases soil C at optimistic rate, minor reductions in C footprint relative to other cases at several steps (transportation distances, commuter mgp, animal emissions, air-dried clothes, etc.)

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Community BuildingOur Fibershed Fashion Gala brought together a community of artisans, designers, farmers and ranchers to create a new generation of locally grown, processed and designed garments.

Fibershed’s Annual Wool & Fine Fiber Symposium focused on the subject ‘Climate and Our Clothes,’ and featured a series of speakers that included rangeland ecologists, policy makers and emerging young ranchers who spoke to a sold out crowd.

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The community of Fibershed Producers was on hand at the Symposium, displaying their farm fresh fibers, garments and dye plants to a public eager for goods that are ‘grown and sewn close to home.’

Watch the videos of the Symposium presentations: www.fibershed.com/wool-symposium-2013/live-stream/

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Public Education

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We created a ‘Fibershed School’ for 65 children and their teachers in the South Bay. Education on the carbon cycle was woven into hands-on textile trainings. Students learned about fiber arts—spinning, felting, natural dyeing, knitting, weaving, and sewing—and by the end they were all fashioned in their own homespun attire...singing songs of gratitude for their fibershed. The Fibershed teaching staff was comprised of experts such as Tamara Wilder, shown here demonstrating how to make cordage from plant fiber.

Students were enthusiastic about our first Mushroom Dye Workshop, taught by Katharine Jolda and Dustin Kahn at the beautiful ranch of Mary Pettis Sarley.

▲ We brought large brands, including Northface, Smartwool, and Lucy, to a tour of our local ranches. The company is now making shifts in their fiber purchasing, and is spearheading great moves towards ‘biosphere based local materials’ to protect our climate while offering garments through mainstream channels.

Fibershed in the Southeast—Rebecca Burgess held a week-long class using local fibers and dyes from the Southeast Fibershed at Shakerag in Tennessee, a historic folk art school.

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Making shelter from our abundant wool resources. These hands-on workshops provided participants an opportunity to learn how to make their own natural fiber shelters. ▲ Yurt Felting (taught by Katharine Jolda, Heidi Harris and Amber Bieg) and Yurt Building (taught by Richard Waters)

Public Education

Fibershed Kids Camp, a one-week children’s intensive, brought children into the dye garden and into the pasture to engage with angora rabbits, mohair goats, and Shetland lambs.

▲ Felted Vest Workshops with Katherine Jolda were held during three weekends in 2013 at Bodega Pastures—the course brought students together to learn the art of making their own garments from raw carded wool.

©2012 Kathleen Cunningham

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Public Education

Presentations made by Rebecca Burgess, Fibershed Founder and Executive Director, included:

Synthetic Biology Public Awareness: Impact on Fiber Systems David Brower Center, Berkeley California – March 21st

Natural Dye Presentation Civic Arts Center, Walnut Creek, California – April 20th

Grow Kitchen Fibershed & Dye PresentationSebastopol, California – May 11th

Fibershed Southeast ‘Roadmap for a Fiber Community’Ashville, North Carolina – June 19th

Sustainable Fiber Systems SAFSF, Providence Rhode Island – June 27th

Fibershed & the Future of CraftAmerican Craft Council, Savannah Georgia – Sept 27th

Life Cycle Assessment and Wool MappingMolde, Norway – October 22nd

Indigo Farm Harvest Days: Bringing the Community together to learn about the indigo harvest and preparation process.

Children had fun stomping indigo leaves and stems this summer while learning about the source of natural dyes and helping us process the harvest.

Watch the video of this presentation: www.synbiowatch.org/2013/03/kpfa-webcast-of-the-promises-and-perils-of-synthetic-biology/

Donors & Membership

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Our general membership program is a way to engage the general public with our work. Members receive various benefits depending on their level of membership, and all members are welcomed into the Fibershed community through early invitation to our events, workshops and symposiums.

Our donors consist of individuals, organizations and foundations that have the ability to allocate generously to Fibershed’s projects and general operating expenses. These donations, which are tax-deductible, make up the largest sum of Fibershed’s annual budget.

GRANTS

Blackie Foundation

Clara Fund

RSF Social Finance

Whitman Institute

INDIVIDUAL & BUSINESS DONORS

Julie Benjamin

Buck Consulting Group

Caldrea Company

Kristen Drapesa, EcoHabitude

Kerry & Ken Keefe

Local Works Flexible Purpose Corporation

Elizabeth Martin

Lisa Waterman

Richard Waters, Camping Yurts

GENERAL MEMBERS

Nada Abbott

Tatyan Acuna

Janis Anzalone

Judy Beebe

Amber Bieg

Caroline Bledsoe

Meredith Buck

Robin Carpenter

Deborah Chiarucci

Sara Crew

Pamela Dale

Rio de la Vista

Barbara & Barry Deutsch

Miriam Dym

Sean Ellis

Anne Farrar

Lauren Fenner

Jonatha Foli

Deborah Frankel

Marianne Frost

Barbara George

Marissa Goodman

Anne Green

Jason Green

Marianne Guillen

Reirin Gumbel

Holly Hapka

Heidi Harris

Corina Hatfield

Jilda Hellinga

Katherine Hoag

Sharon Jones

Roanne Kaplow

Karen Hess

Matt Katsaros

Kathleen Lanphier

Anna Lionberger

Wendt Lydia

Lucia Magee

Colleen McGlynn

Michelle Noe

Christine Pearson

Jennifer Pellman

Elyse Perambo

Isabella Pezzulo

Andrea Pfeifer

Heather Podoll

Benjamin Privitt

Nieves Rathbun

Melissa Rodgers

Alison Sargent

Laurel Schaffer

Dona Snow

Darlene Southworth

Donna Spilman

Adele Stafford

Sherry Stanley

Virginia Summit

Beth Upstill

Rebecca Waegell

Patricia Walters

Lisa Waterman

Stephany Wilkes

Christine Williams

Robert Zeien

PRODUCER & RETAILER MEMBERS

Leslie Adkins

Carol Albrecht

Pia Andersson

Vicki Arns

Dyan Ashby

Marcia Barinaga

Kim Bethel

Sandra Charlton

Alison Charter-Smith

Bonnie Chase

Lisa Colorado

Emily Cunetto

Kacy Dapp

Marlie de Swart

Harmeet Dhillon

Margaret Drew

Nan Eastep

Lena Eastes

Debbie & Mark Emery

Dana Foss

Sally Fox

Noelle Gaberman

Deb Galway

Linda Gamble

Chelsey Greene

Heidi Harris

Diane Hoschler

Heidi Iverson

Marnie Jackson

Katharine Jolda

Roanne Kaplow

Kenneth Kirkland & Judith de La Pena

Jen Kida

Lacy Lackey

Robin Lynde

Erin Maclean

Theda Maritzer

Deepa Natarajan

Lauren Ohlsen

Monica Paz Soldan

Mary Pettis-Sarley

Jacalyn Post

Yvonna Ray

Dru Rivers

Alexis & Gillies Robertson

Julie Rosenfeld

Colleen Simon

Amber Steinhauer

Ariana Strozzi & Casey Mazzucchi

Cindy Studdert

Kathy & Richard Varian

Deborah Walton

Leah & Conor Williams

VOLUNTEERS

We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who volunteered at our Wool Symposium and Fashion Gala in 2013, as well as other events.

And a special thank you to Heidi Harris for spearheading the Fibershed Yurt Project. Thank you!

Financial Statement

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REVENUE AND EXPENSES

Revenue Earned Revenue 46,539 Contributions 19,566 Grants 80,500Total Revenue $146,605

Expenses Programs Education & Community Building 70,356 Economic Development Projects Wool Inventory, Mill Feasibility, Bast Fiber Research & Seed Trials 60,463 Fundraising 20,106 Administration 8,500 General/Shared 1,953 Total Expenses $161,378

FINANCIAL POSITION Total Assets (General Operating Fund) 22,742

Total Liabilities 513

Total Net Assets $22,229

REVENUE

• 32% Earned Revenue

• 13% Contributions

• 55% Grants

EXPENSES

• 44% Programs

(Education & Community Building)

• 38% Economic Development Projects

(Wool Inventory, Mill Feasibility,

Bast Fiber Research & Seed Trials)

• 12% Fundraising

• 5% Administration

• 1% General/SharedFibershed is a sponsored project of MarinLink.

Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013

Board of Directors

Marlie de Swart Marlie de Swart is a teacher and small business owner in West Marin County. She’s an expert knitter, fiber scientist, and pattern drafter who has been working with fiber for over 40 years.

Rebecca Burgess, Chair Rebecca Burgess is an author, weaver, and educator. She wrote the book Harvesting Color to promote the wild, weedy, and cultivated plants that can be used for natural color creation. She received an M.Ed. in place-based education in 2011. She is the Executive Director of Fibershed, having founded the non-profit organization in 2011.

Dustin Kahn, Secretary/Treasurer Dustin Kahn is a graphic designer, permaculturist, natural dye enthusiast and instructor. She brings over 35 years of graphic design and marketing experience to her work as graphic designer and administrator for Fibershed.

Mary Pettis-Sarley Mary Pettis-Sarley is a caretaker, sheep rancher, and educator living in Napa County. She has 35 years of experience blending fine art and ranching. She teaches children and adults, and keeps an art career afloat while managing over 200 fiber animals on the 2,000 acres that she’s been caretaking for 20 years.

Our board was created to reflect the community that we serve, and represents farming, ranching, small business ownership, and those with hands-on fiber skills training.

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Fibershed P.O. Box 221 San Geronimo, CA 94963

phone: (415) 717-0619 email: fibershed@gmail.com web: www.fibershed.com