AVF project: Small flock fiber farmers struggle to survive in a global economy that favors standardization and commoditization of a narrow set of breeds and genetic stock to produce cheap material that must compete with synthetic, low-cost competitors. However, as interest in locally produced goods grows, small flock fiber farms may have an opportunity to thrive by influencing development of specialized textile markets. This project seeks to evaluate small flock-based fiber market value chains and connect rural and urban fiber-textile economies, growing rural economies and helping similar markets do the same.

With this supplemental grant, up to two undergraduate students and one graduate student mentor join the research team. Collecting both primary and secondary data, the students will develop and administer interviews and surveys, learn how to draw insights from qualitative data, and review and summarize studies, and more.