The inaugural International Year of Natural Fibres (IYNF) is now underway. That should bring a hooray from any alpaca breeder who knows first hand how the unique qualities of alpaca can benefit the educated consumer.
But the impetus behind the United Nations effort has more to do with the concern of global poverty and those small farmers and ranchers around the world who eek out a subsistence living from their herd, flock, or crop. As any alpaca breeder knows, synthetics continue to grab a bigger and bigger share of the textile market. Indeed, I’m pretty sure all of us have a polyfleece jacket that we throw on for those mucky, dirty jobs in winter. So the fact that the UN is launching a massive effort to increase awareness of those qualities where natural fibers equal and surpass synthetics confirms the deleterious effect on those who rely upon this income to support their families.
In concert with IYNF, Keep the Fleece has started a campaign with Heifer International (one of our favorite non-profits) to raise money to create the largest “fiber flock” through creating the world’s longest scarf. The sections, knit by participating teams, will be assembed at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.
There’s a plethora of information at several websites:
International Year of Natural Fibres
Keep the Fleece
Wild Fibers Magazine
Heifer International
The Pacablogger 
