I am a beginning farmer, although I have many years of experience as a doctoral-level pediatric occupational therapist. I’ve recently started a fiber farm specializing in animal and plant fibers. In addition to raising and harvesting specialty fibers, such as angora and alpaca, I am exploring bast fiber crops such as flax and nettle, and other fiber-oriented plant crops such as natural dye plants and herbs/teas.

I’m interested in regenerative farming and contributing to the sustainable textile industry currently emerging. The fibers will be used in “seed-to-shirt” continuum of products and experiences. Additionally, I have a small pediatric therapy practice immersed in utilizing research-based approaches to intervention involving the farm as a therapeutic milieu: animal husbandry, farm tasks, fiber arts (dyeing, spinning, knitting/weaving), etc.

Furthermore, I would like to offer agritourism workshops and “farm stays” promoting regenerative small-scale farming, traditional skills, nature-play experiences, and “farm as therapy” training for OT students. These activities will contribute to the overall financial sustainability of the farm through multiple streams of revenue (market based as well as clinical services). I am seeking small-acreage farmland/woodland (5-15 acres) to establish my fiber farm and farm-based clinical practice.