The Wool Paradox

The working lands of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties present a puzzle: How is it that so much wool – good for innovative products like natural fertilizer pellets, medical packaging, and more – is grown here, but does not supply the nation's largest textile manufacturing hub in Los Angeles? How is it that the project sponsor alone grows 57,000 pounds of wool within the Redwood RISE region while its waterways fill with microplastics and its dumps with imported fast-fashion made of synthetic fibers? And why is there little vocational training and workforce development in good-paying jobs in contract grazing, vineyard management, and more?

Study Purpose

This exploratory feasibility study seeks to answer these questions and propose solutions by identifying the needs, gaps, strengths, and weaknesses in the economic development idea of a Regional Wool Industry Cluster. The study will examine modernized, regional fiber production from raw wool to finished product, and show how a set of cooperative, mutually beneficial agricultural businesses might operate under certain assumptions.

• Production Objectives

• Enhance the region's capacity for sustainable fiber and food businesses
• Assess vocational training and workforce development needs for contract grazing and regenerative land stewardship

• Processing Analysis

• Analyze market demand and potential products for raw fiber
• Explore the concept of a Regional Wool Industry Cluster as an innovation hub for product R&D and industry collaboration

• Supply Chain Development

• Evaluate demand for value-added wool products (e.g., flame-retardant wool for Cal Fire)
• Develop supply chains and partnerships to boost producer profitability
• Assess investment needs for modernizing or building wool processing facilities