We had the opportunity to attend Fibre Week 2009 held at Olds College in Olds, AB.  It was a great place for networking and meet people who are very passionate about natural fibers. Participants came from all across Canada and the United states to attend the Masters Spinner programs as well as take part in the many Fiber Art courses offered during Fibre Week. Other events included the Fiber Art Camp for Youth, fleece show, natural fibre fashion show as well as a Llama Spin-in. Spruce Haven Farms set shop in the Fibre Week merchant mall to sell cashmere of course, but also to inform participant about all the aspect of cashmere production. The merchant mall is a great place to find anything you could dream of: fibre, fiber art and processing equipment and books only to name a few. There was great interest for our Canadian Cashmere products including, raw cashmere, clouds, roving as well as skeins of pure and blended cashmere. You can find more information and see picture of this event at www.oldscollege.ca/fibreweek.

Spruce Haven Farm was the host of a two day cashmere classification workshop including: - Indebted talks on cashmere classification and recording, histogram reading, and inbreeding coefficients as well as hands on brushing techniques presented by our renowned Canadian Cashmere goat breeder and  judge, Diane Thompson.   - Small ruminant health with our local veterinarian, Dr. Carla Hubert. -Wet felting of Cashmere and Merino on silk workshop, presented by Josie Mckay, local artisan. Goat was of course on Saturday night’s menu, followed with a wine and cheese event. Last minute changes where made to the schedule to allow member of our local fiber club to attend parts of this workshop. A total of 13 people participated in this two day event and the feedbacks where very positive. Insert workshop pictures with this write up

laying out the fibre

finished scraves

Our Valleyview fiber club came to to Spruce Haven Farms to learn all about cashmere harvesting as well as to lend a hand  brushing a few of our does. The excitement later moved inside, where their where snacks and drinks for everyone. Many things still had to be discussed:  what our next fibre club projects should be, transportation and accommodation arrangement for the up coming Fiber Week in Olds and share ideas on new ways to market cashmere!

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September, 2008

Eastern Cashmere Association fleece competition..

 Virginia Fair, USA

Although the ECA does not have elite class, we listed a few of our best placements here bellow.

Second place in yearling class:                                                 Riversong Cashmere Joon

First, second place in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^thfleece class:  RSC Gabrielle (1), RSC Futter (2)

place in 8^thfleece  and up class:                                                Riversong Cashmere Bodoccia ____________________________________________________________________________________________

September, 2008

Smith and Hundu goat show

 Smith. AB

Elite Commercial class won:

Grand Champion doe:                                                Gisler NOVINA

Supreme doe                                                                  Gisler NOVINA

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August, 2008

Westerner  (live goat show)

Red Deer, AB

Elite Boer classes won:

Junior Champion Boer Doe:                                          Spruce Haven Farms UNITY

Grand Champion Boer Doe:                                           Spruce Haven Farms UNITY

Elite Commercial class won:

Reserve Grand Champion commercial doe:           Riversong Cashmere EVE

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May, 2008

Northwest Cashmere Association fleece competition

Yakima, Washignton, USA

Elite Cashmere Fleece classes won:

Senior Champion doe:                                         Riversong Cashmere EVE  

Senior Reserve Champion doe:                        Riversong Cashmere FLUTTER

Senior Champion buck :                                       Riversong Cashmere HIGHLANDER

Spruce Haven Farms donated EVE’s fleece to the NWCA to be used for cashmere classification workshops held throughout the western US.

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November, 2007

Farmfair International (Live goat show)

 Edmonton, AB

Elite class won:

Champion Boer Buck:                                                             Central Alberta SPENCER

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