NEAFP Note - January 2009

Since 1959 the United Nations has designated International years in order to draw attention to major issues and to encourage international action to address concerns which have global importance and ramifications. This year, the UN has named 2009 as it's International Year for Natural Fibers.

The goals of the UN are:
* raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres;
* promote the efficiency and sustainability of the natural fibres industries;
* encourage appropriate policy responses from governments to the problems faced by natural fibre industries;
* foster an effective and enduring international partnership among the various natural fibres industries.

"Since the 1960s, the use of synthetic fibres has increased, and natural fibres have lost a lot of their market share. The main objective of the International Year of Natural Fibres is to raise the profile of these fibres, to emphasise their value to consumers while helping to sustain the incomes of the farmers. Promoting measures to improve the efficiency and sustainability of production is also an important aspect of the Year." - Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations

We couldn't be more excited about the possibilities for growth in the U.S. Alpaca Fiber Industry this upcoming year as more and more Alpaca Farms embrace the Fiber side of their businesses.

For more information and an introduction video on this International Effort, you can visit their Site, or download their Press Kit.

U.S. Events Currently Planned:

3/30 to 4/1 - Technical Workshop:"Natural Fibers - their role in the carbon economy" - Seattle, WA (More Info)
6/3 to 6/7 - National Conference: Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association - Cleveland, OH (More Info)
10/17 to 10/18 - New York State Sheep and Wool Festival - Rhinebeck, NY (More Info)

Everyone here at NEAFP will also be keeping all of you in the loop as more information, events, and resources become available. We will be making regular posts to the NEAFP Blog as well as catching everyone up in each monthly NEAFP Note.

Starting Off The New Year Right! - January 2009

United Nations Declares 2009 International Year of Natural Fibers


Starting Off The New Year Right! - January 2009 2008 turned out to be an amazing year for us and all the farms we service. Together we processed more Alpaca Fiber in 2008 than any other year in NEAFP's 11 year history and as a result, spun the most yarn and sold the most finished products, all while spreading brand awareness for N. American Alpaca throughout the country. As the U.S. Alpaca Industry matures and more and more farms embrace the fiber side of the business, we couldn't be more excited about the endless potential that is out there for this growing fiber industry. To continue in the theme of Raising the Bar from 2008, we are excited to announce a brand new sock in our first NEAFP Note of the New Year! Introducing: The Casual Dress Alpaca Sock Alpaca Farms and Retailers across the country have been raving about the success of our Survival Sock and we set out to bring you a sock that combines the durability and comfort we love about the Survival Socks and couple it with a light-weight knit guaranteeing comfort in any weather conditions. The New Casual Dress Alpaca Sock will keep your feet comfortable whether you are tending to the herd in early spring or lounging around the house in your pajamas. There isn't a reason Alpaca Clothing and Accessories can't be enjoyed year round in a wide range of climates, and we are committed to designing items that will allow alpaca lovers across the country to do just that! The Casual Dress Alpaca Sock is available to order today, for both Fiber Contributors and Wholesalers, and will begin shipping out of our mill this upcoming Friday, Jan. 30th. Order Now United Nations Declares 2009 International Year of Natural Fibers Since 1959 the United Nations has designated International years in order to draw attention to major issues and to encourage international action to address concerns which have global importance and ramifications. This year, the UN has named 2009 as it's International Year for Natural Fibers. The goals of the UN are: * raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres; * promote the efficiency and sustainability of the natural fibres industries; * encourage appropriate policy responses from governments to the problems faced by natural fibre industries; * foster an effective and enduring international partnership among the various natural fibres industries. "Since the 1960s, the use of synthetic fibres has increased, and natural fibres have lost a lot of their market share. The main objective of the International Year of Natural Fibres is to raise the profile of these fibres, to emphasise their value to consumers while helping to sustain the incomes of the farmers. Promoting measures to improve the efficiency and sustainability of production is also an important aspect of the Year." - Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations We couldn't be more excited about the possibilities for growth in the U.S. Alpaca Fiber Industry this upcoming year as more and more Alpaca Farms embrace the Fiber side of their businesses. For more information and an introduction video on this International Effort, you can visit their Site, or download their Press Kit. U.S. Events Currently Planned: 3/30 to 4/1 - Technical Workshop:"Natural Fibers - their role in the carbon economy" - Seattle, WA (More Info) 6/3 to 6/7 - National Conference: Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association - Cleveland, OH (More Info) 10/17 to 10/18 - New York State Sheep and Wool Festival - Rhinebeck, NY (More Info) Everyone here at NEAFP will also be keeping all of you in the loop as more information, events, and resources become available. We will be making regular posts to the NEAFP Blog as well as catching everyone up in each monthly NEAFP Note.	NEAFP on the Go! We are beginning to finalize dates for upcoming shows that we will be attending as an Informational Vendor, and doing Fiber Collections. We would love for everyone to come out and say hello, get your hands on some of our new products, and let us haul your fiber back to the mill. This is a wonderful way to save on Fiber Shipping Costs! 4/4 to 4/5: The Alpaca Fiber Symposium - Belmont, NC at Gaston College 4/23 to 4/26: MAPACA Jubilee - Harrisburg, PA 5/2 to 5/3: Buckeye Alpaca Show - Colombus, OH 10/25 to 10/26: Empire Alpaca Extravaganzaa - Syracuse, NY More Shows to be Announced! Find Out how to Participate in Fiber Pickups and Save on Shipping HERE! Showcase your Farm Store We are in the process of bringing back our Featured Farm Store section as a resource for customers who erroneously stumble across our catalog looking to buy retail products. If you carry NEAFP Products, run an Online Farm Store or have a Retail Location / Fiber Nook, we would be more than happy to include you in our certified Retailers Section. Email Us Today! Showcase your Farm Blog NEAFP is in the process of re-working our Featured Farm showcase section and we would like to showcase the daily activities of an everyday Alpaca Farmer. A blog is a wonderful tool that allows people to get a closer look at the day to day activities of our favorite pastime and lifestyle, Raising Alpacas. If you have a farm blog we would love to share it with the rest of the community, and build a community of farms across the country. Please email us today with your Farm Site and Blog Information and we will include it in our new section! Email Us Today!