High Desert Wool Growers

Our Story and Mission

Since the late 1990's, our members from central Oregon promote the raising of sheep for wool and the use of their fiber in practical and artistic activities such as spinning, weaving, felting, etc. The mission of the High Desert Wool Growers is to promote all aspects of the sheep and fiber animal industry with no bias toward operation size or breed. HDWG aims provide a networking organization for individuals within the industry in central Oregon's High Desert region. Each spring we sponsor the Fiber Market Day in central Oregon. This event is an educational opportunity as well as an exhibition, sale, and general gathering of fiber enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest. Fiber Market Day aims to connect farmers and artists who raise/make products from natural fibers with people who appreciate them and want to take them home! Additionally, we participate in opportunities to share about fiber animals and fiber-related processes, and support youth who are involved with fiber animals through 4-H and FFA.

Promoting sheep and
fiber animals as a
small farm business

Central Oregon continues to be an area of significant residential expansion. Many are moving from more populated urban centers to experience the calmer atmosphere of central Oregon. HDWG seeks to promote fiber animals for the small farm operation as well as being a resource for the artisan crafts that come as by-products of the industry.

Natural fibers; coarse, medium, fine, short, long...there is a use or project for every type!

Educational Opportunities

Several times each year we have opportunities to provide education regarding breeds of fiber animals, types of fiber, and ways to process and use wool and fiber. Some of this is via displays at our excellent local county fairs, our group shared sales space in the sheep barn at Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival, and our own Fiber Market Day held in Redmond, OR at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in June. At times other occasions present themselves with local school or community programs.