Lectures & Demonstrations

SATURDAY May 10, 2025

10 – 10:50 AM
Maintenance, and Preventive Maintenance Tips For Your Spinning Wheel: Beva and Steve Meagher. This lecture will guide you in how to diagnose spinning wheel problems, make repairs on your spinning wheel, and assemble a travel tool kit. We will address; the conditioning of wood and metal parts, oiling and greases to use, how to make and install drive bands, and connectors along with guidance to diagnose spinning wheel problems. We will offer resources for materials needed to make repairs and adjustments.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Steve & Beva have been spinning for several years and have collected and experienced many wheels. Steve is a woodworker who enjoys crafting support spindles and assorted other fiber tools. Beva enjoys reconditioning sad, lonely spinning wheels, and seeing them gleam with life again.

10 – 10:50 AM
Felting Beads: Ruth Boisvert. Ruth will be making the coolest needle felted beads with the washing machine finishing the process. Squares will be transformed into beautiful, felted disks.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Ruth has an BFA from the School for American Craftsmen in Rochester, New York. After moving to Maine her career took a detour into the corporate world but she continued to study ceramics and fiber art at the Maine College of Art. Ruth’s fiber art and pottery have been marketed in many shows and in Gallery 302 in Bridgton, Maine for years. Ruth has been busy teaching felting in Portland, Gallery 302 and fiber festivals throughout New England.

11 – 11:50 AM
HPAI: Nicole Gigure, DVM, LH USDA  Description Coming
Class Cost: free
Class Location: Lecture hall
Instructor Bio: Coming Soon

11 – 11:50 AM:
Making A Warp With A Horizontal Warping Mill: Amanda Posner. Maybe you are familiar with making warps on a warping board but find that you have issues with your shoulder’s and have considered upgrading to a warping reel. This demonstration will show how to use a horizontal warping mill when making a long warp for weaving. We will discuss the advantages of using the mill over a warping boards and the best ways to gauge warp lengths when using the mill. Those who come to the demonstration will have an opportunity to each try their hand at the mill we will also discuss vertical verses horizontal reels and as well as other tools that can be helpful when you using the mill.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Amanda Posner is the founder and instructor at Crow’s Corner. She developed a life-long love of weaving in the 80s, when she started studying textiles at Cambridge School of Weston. She has also studied weaving at Harrisville Designs, Inc. and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 2023, she taught two introductory weaving courses at Scratch Supply Co. In Lebanon, NH. classes at her studio are for beginners with no experience or for those interested in moving up to multiple harness loom from ridge heddle looms and designed for those interested in learning the process of designing and warping a loom start to finish.

12 – 12:50 PM
Common Emergencies and How to Prepare:  Dr. Jennifer Scanlon, MD LH
Description: Coming Soon
Class Cost: Free
Class location: Lecture hall
Instructor Bio: Coming Soon

12 – 12:50 PM
Cables and Cast Ons:  Marilyn Valentine. There are many ways to cast-on stitches to your knitting needles but when not specified by your pattern, how do you know which one to use? Different cast-ons will be demonstrated and characteristics of each explained. We’ll also touch on cables; the mechanics and different stitch counts for each style.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Marilyn Valentine has been knitting for 30 years (avidly for 20) and learned to crochet by correspondence through the mail from her grandmother over 50 years ago. She believes that when the joy in a project is gone, start another one and then come back to it! She loves learning new techniques and teaching others how to knit and watching creativity take off. Favorite techniques: top-down sweaters, two-at-a-time-toe-up socks, colorwork mittens and anything with cables and bobbles. Favorite yarn: um

1 – 1:50 PM
Your Backyard Natural Dye Garden: Seedlings Through Harvest To Dye Pot. Odediah Skolnick.  Let me introduce you to the magic of the natural dye pot with a small garden plan to dye 4oz of your handspun wool fiber.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio:  Odediah is constantly creating open spaces for a free exchange of spinning techniques where other fiber spinners can develop opportunity and freedom in their handspinning.

1 – 1:50 PM
How To Choose A Personal Project Fleece: Nadine Chounet.  It touches on things like your personal skill level, what you want to create, and things to look for when shopping for your perfect fleece.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Fleece Barn
Instructor Bio: I own ‘Painted Knoll Farm’ and raised registered Shetland sheep for over 30 years. I continually worked to improve the breed from easy to handle healthy sheep to gorgeous and clean fleeces that Shetlands are known for producing. Over the years I have given lessons and talks and demos as it is something that I have always enjoyed.

2 – 2:50 PM
Silvopasturing With Sheep For Flock Health, Productivity and Biodiversity:  Sabre Ewing, LH. Discover how planting trees, shrubs and perennials in your pastures can provide shade, increase grass, reduce parasites, and yield additional benefits for humans, birds and pollinators.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Since 1984 Sabra has been a goatherd and shepherd on Flag Hill Farm, an organically certified apple orchard, and off grid hill farm in Central Vermont. She served on the board of the Vermont Sheep and Goat association and was an eager member of the first convening meeting Fibershed in Montpelier.  She started with registered angora goats, selling stock and hundreds of pounds yearling of mohair to Green Mountain Spinnery for their Mountain Mohair yarn. Now, under the name “WereWool Vermont”, she raises sheep for locally spun, fine wool yarns: Cormo, Blue Faced Leicester, Fine Wool Shetlands, and Jacobs.  She is an advocate of re-localizing fiber, to giving priority to the human need for clothing, and for warmth -hats, mittens and blankets etc. as equally important to producing food, in our regional, agricultural endeavors.
Additionally, with decades of experience as orchardists, and a wide array of nut trees and other plantings, Sabra with her partner Sebastian, have witnessed amazing benefits of grazing sheep in their apple orchard and the increase of species of insects, butterflies and birds.

2 – 2:50 PM
Crochet: Not Just For Afghans: Marilyn Valentine.  Crochet is surging as a very diverse craft. If you would like to learn the basic stitches or if you are a knitter who would like to incorporate lacy edging or try a cast-on with a crochet chain, I’ll show you how.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Marilyn Valentine has been knitting for 30 years (avidly for 20) and learned to crochet by correspondence through the mail from her grandmother over 50 years ago. She believes that when the joy in a project is gone, start another one and then come back to it! She loves learning new techniques and teaching others how to knit and watching creativity take off. Favorite techniques: top-down sweaters, two-at-a-time-toe-up socks, colorwork mittens and anything with cables and bobbles. Favorite yarn: um

3 – 3:50 PM
Mill Terminology:  Bell Vassar.  This lecture will cover some of the terms used in milling and preparing fiber. We will discuss names of tools and machines used,
characteristics of fiber, and the process of transforming locks to yarn.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Bel Vassar is a fiber enthusiast who owns and runs Pict Wool with her
husband Paul. They process wool and fiber into roving, combed top and custom yarns for regional farms and shepherds. She enjoys hand spinning, knitting and dyeing.

3 – 3:50 PM
TBA. CR
Class Cost: free
Class Location: Classroom demo area
Instructor Bio:

4 – 4:50 PM
Valais blacknose breed and breed-up program: Maria Floyd LH. Often referred to as “the cutest sheep in the world”, the Valais Blacknose is an endearing breed. Learn about the Valais Blacknose history, temperament, breed standard, breed-up program, and considerations in owning this magnificent breed.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Maria Floys is a lifetime member of VBISBAR (Valais Blacknose International Sheep Breeders Association and Registry). She is the owner of Woolly Ridge Farm and Sheepjunkie, LLC located in Milton Mills, NH. She participates in the Valais Blacknose Breed-up Program. Their flock consists of F2 Valais Blacknose, Shetland, and Gulf Coast Native Sheep.

4 – 4:50 PM
TBA. CR
Class cost: free
Class location: Classroom demo area
Instructor bio:

SUNDAY May 11, 2025

10 – 10:50 AM
What You Need For Tools For Weaving:  Amanda Posner.  There are a lot of tools available for weavers. But which ones do you really need? In this lecture we discuss which tool students must have to get started weaving, why you need them. some sources to purchase them, what to look for when buying used equipment and what you need to consider before you start.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Amanda Posner is the founder and instructor at Crow’s Corner. She developed a life-long love of weaving in the 80s, when she started studying textiles at Cambridge School of Weston. She has also studied weaving at Harrisville Designs, Inc. and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 2023, she taught two introductory weaving courses at Scratch Supply Co. in Lebanon, NH. Classes at her studio are for beginners with no experience or for those interested in moving up to multiple harness loom from ridge heddle looms and designed for those interested in learning the process of designing and warping a loom start to finish.

10 – 10:50 AM
Getting a Fleece Ready for Spinning Cotton, Carding vs Combing: Chris Majauckas. Processing a fleece by hand? I’ll talk about the differences and demonstrate some Combing techniques to produce fiber ready to spin.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Chris has been a Comb Maker for over 30 years.

11 – 11:50 AM
How to Get Started Showing Sheep as an Adult: Friedericke Kazo. If you didn’t grow up showing sheep, how do you learn the ins and outs of showing sheep? This lecture will provide you with the basic knowledge on how to preparing sheep for the show ring, show ring basics and etiquette. Topics include halter training and leading in the show ring, fitting the sheep per breed standard, wool vs. meat breed, supplies, paperwork, and choosing classes. The participants will receive a copy of the lecture notes and a list of resources on showmanship skills and local sheep shows.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Freddi Kazo has raised sheep for 30 years including Scottish Blackface, Romneys, and Wensleydale sheep as well as adopting an errant Shetland ewe. She has been a 4H leader and is involved in the NHSWGA Festival. While the plan was to let the last of her daughter’s 4H flock live out their lives and then be free of animal care, the pandemic brought on 2 herding dogs and the beginning of a breeding flock of Wensleydales. Freddi has now broken into showing sheep in NH and NY and is again lambing for the 2025 show season.

11 – 11:50 AM
Peg Loom Weaving: Sharon Haumann. Peg loom weaving technique, allows you to create fiber art in a freer way than other forms of weaving and dates back to the 16th century.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Sharon Haumann has been raising sheep on a small family farm for the last forty-five years. Her interests lie in all fiber arts with a concentration in needle felted sculptures, and Peg loom weaving. Her sculptures and wool paintings have been exhibited in galleries and have one a number of awards.

12 – 12:50 PM
Medievel Distaff Spinning: Tameson O’Brien. Are you interested in historical spinning? Demonstrating short-suspended (European) medieval style spindle spinning with long distaff. See the difference between a medieval spindle vs a drip spindle.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall

12 – 12:50 PM
Better Needle Felting: Sue Carey. Felting is the tangling and compression of wool. There are a range of felting methods. Better Felting emphasizes more efficient crafting of 3-D wool shapes. With over 100 types of felting needles, using the right type of needle makes felting more productive. Wool comes in a variety of diameters and textures. Using the right type of wool will enhance a project. Also, we will delve into using better ergonomic methods and equipment for a healthier, happier felting experience.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Sue Carey and her family have raised Cotswold Sheep for 30 thirty years. She is active in the local Sheep Producers group and is a former Sheep 4-H leader.
Sue has taught needle felting throughout the Northeast for over 25 years. Her teaching credentials include the New England Fiber Festival, Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, Gallery at the Vault and the Chaffee Art Center. Through her instructions, She has introduced both children and adults to the creative world of felting. For more information on Sue’s crafting go to marblemeadows.com.

1 – 1:50 PM
Reclaiming Pasture Land: David Kennard. David will discuss best practices and the necessary equipment for how to successfully use animals to reclaim old and overgrown pastures as well as create silvopasture.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: David Kennard of Wellscroft Fence Systems has helped thousands of farmers design fence systems for the protection of crops and livestock for over 45 years. He has field-tested his fencing products on his own 300-acre farm, Wellscroft Farm in Chesham, NH, one of the larger working sheep farms in New England. Wellscroft is the largest agricultural fence company in New England, and regularly hosts popular educational workshops such as Lambing Clinics, Fence Clinics and Grazing Workshops.
Wellscoft Farm works closely with NRCS and Cooperative Extensions to design IRG and MIG programs for farmers. David and Wellscroft Farm are recipients of Innovative Farmer of the Year, Master Shepherd and NH Farm of Distinction awards.

1 – 1:50 PM
Different Types of Needle Felting: Sharon Haumann. I’ll demonstrate how to make a painting using wool and also will demonstrate making sculptures using wool.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: Sharon Haumann has been raising sheep on a small family farm for the last forty-five years. Her interests lie in all fiber arts with a concentration in needle felted sculptures, and Peg loom weaving. Her sculptures and wool paintings have been exhibited in galleries and have one a number of awards.

2 – 2:50 PM
Getting Your Fleece Ready For Yarn: Andrew Earle. Improvements to your clip for better returns through better feed systems and pasture managements.
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio: Andrew Earle a native Vermonter grew up in farming of all kinds. For the last seven years he has combined his love of farming and machinery operating the 1916 Whitin Carding Machine at Green Mountain Spinnery. Andy is a certified US wool grader and natural fiber enthusiast. He and his family raise Fine Shetland & Finn sheep as well.

2 – 2:50 PM
TBA. CR
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio:

3 – 3:50 PM
Meningeal Worm Discussion: Dr. Lauren DeGennaro MD.LH.
Description Coming Soon
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor Bio:

3 – 3:50 PM
TBA. CR
Class Cost: Free
Class Location: Classroom Demo Area
Instructor Bio: