The group has also begun creating a dye, culinary and medicinal demonstration herb garden at the ag center, with June Ellen Bradley, coordinator of the herb gardens. Members of the group are volunteering their time to prepare the site, building raised beds, gathering plants and planting later this spring. Donations from the community are welcome.
The group’s intent is to help people interested in herbs become familiar with their botanical features and how they grow. Future workshops are planned on plant identification, growing and processing techniques. The group will also learn how to dye fiber and material with plants. There will be cooking classes and medicinal herb classes as well.
Cindy Walker, Polk County commissioner and a member of the fiber group, has been touring area mills, processing plants and farms.
“As I have gotten to know the folks in our fiber group, I have been moved by their creativity and their passion for fiber; whether it be weaving, dyeing, knitting, embroidery, sewing or spinning (just to mention the tip of the iceberg).” Walker said. “They not only enjoy what they make, they enjoy the search for new materials and discovering outlets for their ‘wears.’ Unfortunately, the outsourcing of our textile industry, our once vibrant mills now closed, leaves a gap in our economy, in our local resources and our workforce. This gap has pushed me to search out what still remains of the textile industry in Polk County and the surrounding area.”
The group’s next meeting, Tuesday, March 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the ag center, will feature Walker’s discoveries. Everyone is welcome – bring a little something to throw in the potluck.
– article submitted by June Ellen Bradley