Flying Fibers Wool & Lavender Farm | Wrightsville, PA
Nestled into the rolling hills of eastern York County, Pennsyvlania is Flying Fibers Wool & Lavender Farm, owned and operated by Jeri Robinson-Lawrence and Irina Lawrence-Mathias. Jeri and Irina are a vibrant and hardworking mother-daughter duo, on the farm and in their agritourism business. In June, I visited their beautiful farm, got to meet their sheep, barn cats, and chickens, browse their well-appointed yarn/wool shop, and learn more about the heart behind their work. Then in August, Irina and Jeri led an eco-printing workshop for Cross Quarter Club at our 2023 Midsummer Gathering! I am so glad to have connected with them and I am delighted to shine the spotlight on Flying Fibers today.
Jeri (right), Irina (left) and Irina’s daughter, Ksenia
Tell us a little about your farm and your yarn/wool shop!
We are a recent generational farm, within the last 14 years, and our yarn/wool shop came around at the same time! We focus on rare breed sheep, sustainable agriculture practices, and also farm lavender since it is a natural wool moth repellent. Up until 8 years ago, we rented pasture space to raise our sheep, then we purchased a plot of land where the animals lived; and some continue to live there! 4 years ago my parents, Jeri and Matthew, bought a farmstead in York County just minutes from the land that we were raising our sheep on and we moved over from Lancaster to start the Flying Fibers agritourism dream. We currently raise 3 breeds of rare breed sheep for their wool, that we then turn in to yarn for our shop.
You recently relocated to York County — why did you choose to move here and what do you enjoy most about this area?
Farmettes were financially accessible here in York as opposed to Lancaster County, where we were living previously. The river, the hills, the people are all just special, and it feels like you can't get that elsewhere in Central PA. Jeri grew up on the shores of Lake Erie in Buffalo, NY, and Matthew, grew up in seaside towns throughout England so the rolling hills of the east side of York definitely speak to them. Jeri loves that she can now live with her sheep right in her backyard, which is way closer than they had been when we were living in Lancaster. There is also a lot of support from the York County Economic Alliance that stretches outside of the city limits to help small businesses, and that made our decision to move our shop from Lancaster to York a lot easier.
What is your favorite part of summer as wool and lavender farmers? What’s the most challenging part?
Our favorite part of summer is getting to spend more leisurely time outside during the day instead of strictly being outside for chores. I think the most challenging part of summer is water - whether it is filling the water troughs for the sheep or watering the plants, it never seems to end! Technically, for our wool shop and business, summer is a slow time. This is when we really focus on creating products to get us through fall and winter when we're too busy, and also dreaming up the big plans for the upcoming seasons!
How did you get into natural dyes and eco-printing?
That's a funny story - when I was 10 (so almost two decades ago), Jeri and I took a natural dye class in southern Lancaster County. My mum was always an avid plant admirer and gardener, especially when my sister and I were outside most of the time in the warm months. At that time, the Flying Fibers business was actually Jeri machine knitting yardage with custom graphic designs on it, felting them down, and turning them into bags, hats, pillows, etc. The natural dyeing allowed us to branch into a summer market for craft fairs, so we began buying in blank silk undergarments and naturally dyeing them! We did a lot of camisoles and long johns, but I also remember some bamboo socks and silk flowy cardigans. It is a slow and intentional process, and as the business grew to be more focused on yarn and wool, and less finished objects made with natural materials, the natural dyeing slowly faded to just a hobby we would strike up each summer.
Read: CQC’s Midsummer Gathering Recap | Eco-Printing on Silk Scarves with Flying Fibers
In addition to your retail store, you’ve made education a big part of Flying Fibers. Tell us more about your Patreon and the classes and special events you offer at the farm?
Both of my parents are teachers, and so education is just in our bones at this point. Community and passing along knowledge of textiles is really important to Jeri and I, as well as educating the public on the importance of rare breed sheep. In the summer months, we host classes to learn to knit, spin, felt, crochet, and of course, we do one dyeing class a year. We also host monthly Open Craft Nights on the farm during summer, and throughout the year at Columbia Kettle Works just across the river. We love gathering together and getting inspired by other crafters in the community.