By Jan Jackson –
HALSEY, Ore. – You can’t beat knitting with yarn fresh from the field. Ewethful Farm and Fiber Mill in Halsey Oregon, is making it easy to do just that. Kim Beigler, who raises wool and hair fiber animals on the century ryegrass seed farm her husband grew up on, opened her fiber mill and consignment gift shop just down the road.
Born in Maryland and raised in Sacramento, Kim started honing her business skills soon after she moved to Portland, Oregon 17 years ago. A long time lover of dogs, she spent 14-years owning and operating a Boutique Dog Hotel. When she married Mitch and moved to the farm, her love of animals expanded to sheep, llamas and alpacas – oh yes – and she’s thinking about adding Pygora goats.
The mill, located in the center of what is called the ‘Rye Grass Capital of the World,’ is a haven for the fiber bearing animals that live here. Their owners are lucky too because now have a place close to home to have their fleeces processed.
Though Kim is the sole fiber processor, her husband Mitch is the one in charge of the building they bought to house the equipment. They bought it in November, put a new roof (the day they bought it, it was raining inside), installed the equipment and held the grand opening in March.
Over the past 100-plus years, the 1870s structure has been a shop that sold hand cranked washing machines, a mortuary and coffin maker, a hardware store, a dance hall and an auction house. Mitch claims he got involved when he told Kim that he had a few days off if there was anything she would like him to do so she bought the building.
The Ewethful Farm and Fiber Mill, is more than place to go to have your own fine wool and fiber processed.In the front half of the building you can buy all kinds of locally crafted items from her consignment gift shop. There is roving for hand spinners, yarn for knitting and weaving and a place to take classes. She has already held some Fiber Flings where folks just get together and socialize while plying their craft.
She is adding her own line of yarn in June.
The hours open to the public are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1:00 – 5:30 pm and/or call for an appointment.
Visit https://ewethfulfiberfarm.com for more details.
Photos by Jan Jackson
