It is a great honor to announce the second Vermont Fiber Retreat, to be held at Adams Farm November 12-13, 2005. The inaugural event in 2004 was a remarkable triumph, and following that success is no easy task, but host Jill Adams Mancivalano has once again put together an incredible line-up of presenters and workshops.

The 2005 Vermont Fiber Retreat will feature textile artists Stephen Ableman, Jeannine Bakriges, Sharon Costello, Amy Oxford, and Patsy Sue Zawistoski. Topics will include the full range of fiber arts, including spinning, felting, rug hooking, color theory and more.

Adams Farm raises most of its livestock for their fiber, including merino sheep, angora goats, angora rabbits, and a few llamas and alpacas. Jill Adams Mancivalano began spinning 15 years ago and has created a comprehensive fiber arts program at Adams Farm, with daily

Jill Adams Mancivalano with her flock of angora goats

agricultural and fiber demonstrations and weekly Spinning Bees and Knitting Circles.

Adams Farm is a working sixthgeneration farm in southern Vermont, offering the public seasonal activities and agricultural experiences for the whole family. Adams Farm has been rated as a "Top Ten Attraction" by Vermont Magazine, an

"Editor’s Pick" by Yankee Magazine, and has been featured on Good Morning America, The Food Network, CBS Early Morning Show, The Travel Channel, Boston Chronicle, Vermont Public Television and was awarded the 2003 Vermont Sustainable Farm of the Year, along with many other awards and mentions.

Fiber junkies will be in their element when they walk

upstairs in the Farm Store at Adams Farm. The loft features quilts and knitted items made by local artisans and family members. In addition, the Fiber Arts Loft has become the most complete source in southern Vermont for supplies, including roving and yarn from Adams Farm’s own flocks.

Enthusiasts will find everything from spinning wheels to handcrafted spindles; wool and exotic fibers for spinning; rug hooking, weaving, and penny rug supplies, books, magazines, videos, tools, patterns, artwork, gifts for fiber artists and more. Guests are also welcome to drop by for advice anytime.