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What Is Wool Worth? Rebuilding Value from Farm to Fiber in Southeast Ohio
In Southeast Ohio, sheep farmers face challenges due to low wool market value and a shortage of trained shearers. The Southeast Ohio Fibershed aims to reconnect local agriculture with textile production, fostering economic development and sustainability. Initiatives like the Hocking Hills Garment Center are beginning to revitalize the regional fiber economy.
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Our Textile Ecosystem Network
Lisa Heinz emphasizes the importance of creating a community network for fiber artists and growers in southeast Ohio to combat textile waste and the issues caused by fast fashion. She highlights the revival of DIY skills and the emergence of Makerspaces to teach sewing, knitting, and crafting, fostering a return to sustainable practices and local…
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Southeast Ohio Fibershed: Update!
Hello Friends! We are excited to announce that the Southeast Ohio Fibershed has gathered a Board of Directors (check out intros to the first four below!) in anticipation of securing our status as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We recently filed our State of Ohio paperwork and are in the process of pulling together our IRS…
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Lisa Heinz, Founder and Board President
Lisa Heinz is the founder of Southeast Ohio Fibershed and has been an entrepreneur in Athens County since 1992. With a background in digital marketing, she blends that with her passion for wool. In 2019, she started Southeast Ohio Fiberworks to support local wool producers and provide unique yarns and supplies to fiber artists.
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Sasha Sigetic, Board Vice President and Director of Farmer Strategy and Process
Sasha Sigetic grew up in Cleveland, learning to crochet and knit as a kid from her grandmothers. She’s now a fiber enthusiast living on a goat farm in Ohio, where she advocates for small farmers. As the Education Director for a local organization, she pushes for sustainable fiber practices.
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Tiff Piko, Board Treasurer
Tiff Piko, a designer and advocate, ran a grassroots mayoral campaign in Lancaster, Ohio. She supports workforce development in Appalachia and has a background in sustainable design.
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Avery Snyder, Board Secretary
Avery Snyder is a graphic designer and multidisciplinary artist working across branding, illustration, weaving, papermaking, and bookbinding. Her practice centers on sustainability and upcycled materials, shaped by years of organic farming, off-grid living, and environmental work. She also serves on the Southeast Ohio Fibershed board, supporting sustainable textiles and Appalachian job creation.
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Beth Clodfelter, Board Director of Community Outreach
Beth Clodfelter is interested in the potential of the Southeast Ohio Fibershed to spur job creation and sustainability by working to develop a locally-grown and locally-made textile network.
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Betsy Franjola, Board Director of Regional Textile Partnerships
Betsy Franjola, a seasoned textile specialist, passionately revitalizes the fashion industry by innovating fabrics and educating on sustainable practices through her various initiatives.
Southeast Ohio Fibershed
Explore Appalachian fibercraft through history, encourage communities to learn about sustainable textiles, and develop skills with hands-on learning.
