California Wool Growers Association: Unifying the Voice of the Sheep Industry Since 1860

On September 24, 1860, a group of forward thinking people came together to sell their wool. Access to the Boston wool market was the most pressing issue facing producers at that time. To solve this problem, these producers procured a ship and took their wool “around the horn” to the wool markets in Boston. While they were on the east coast they witnessed the beginning of the Civil war.

Today’s members include a wide range of ranchers, farm flock producers, feeders, 4-H and FFA students, supportive businesses and other interested individuals. As the CWGA continues to address producers’ most pressing concerns, you too can share this rich heritage and learn valuable skills to improve your operation

Our Mission

The mission of the California Wool Growers Association is to be the voice of the California Sheep Industry at the local, regional, state, and national level. The Association will provide service to its members through effective communication that ensures the long-term prosperity of the industry and promotes economically viable and environmentally sound production practices.

News and Information Update

Save the date-CWGA Annual Meeting August 23-24, 2013
Flyer

Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School July 14-17, 2013 . The last day to register is May 3, 2013

http://www.nlfa-sheep.org/leadership.html

Wool Survey-Posted February 1, 2013. The survey will be available until June 2013.

Are you raising fiber producing animals in California? Would you like to see your ‘on-farm income’ increase, while seeing more people create goods with our locally raised fiber?
Help our region become strong and resilient, and fill out Fibershed's grower’s survey. Our goal is to collect data on all sheep and fiber producing animals in California. If you operate a dairy, ranch, farm or homestead with one or more animals, this survey is for you. Information on the quantity, quality and land-management practices of your fiber producing operation will directly support the development of increased fiber processing in our region. These survey responses will feed into a feasibility study and help us make well-informed decisions about the type, scale and location of fiber processing facilities in north-central California.
Click here to get started. ( link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CaliforniaFiberProducers )
Each rancher or farmer who completes the survey will be entered in our raffle of fibershed goods. Prizes to be awarded by June 1, 2013. We appreciate you taking the time to answer the questions. (It should take about 20-25 minutes.
Why are we doing this survey?
An estimated 1.5 million pounds of underutilized or ‘waste’ wool is grown annually in the counties that comprise the Northern California Fibershed (see our map). Our wool mapping project will provide a first-ever visual and geographical analysis of its distribution, quality and quantity. We plan to utilize data from the Wool Inventory Map to assess the scale, scope and location of future fiber processing facilities.
Fibershed is a non-profit 501c3 based in Sonoma County:
The mission of Fibershed is to change the way we clothe ourselves by supporting the creation of local textile cultures that enhance ecological balance, and utilize regional agriculture while strengthening local economies and communities.
Contact: Fibershed@gmail.com Rebecca Burgess: 415 717-0619

Shepherding

Dan Macon of Flying Mule Farms is hosting a 2013 series of workshops highlighting Shepherding, and sheep production for new producers. Be sure to check out the schedule and information at: http://www.flyingmulefarm.com/shepherding_skills_workshop_series.

2013 Flyer
Posted January 2013

CWGA is on FACEBOOK check it out!!!

2013 California Wool Growers Scholarship

Purpose: To provide financial assistance to enrolled students in academic programs, related to the California sheep industry. This support may be used to offset normal academic fees or to help offset costs of senior projects and/or research efforts.
Application Deadline: June 1
Scholarship Award: $500
Eligibility: Must be enrolled at a California State University or the University of California and have completed at least one year of academic studies in Animal Science, Range Management, or Veterinary Medicine.
2013 Scholarship Application