ETR Farm: Orangevale, CA
We're now a Visions In Education Enrichment Vendor! Check out Upcoming Classes
Why visit our MicroFarm?
Pele the Alpaca
King of the Hill
Maki the Alpaca
Caramel Macchiato
Coleen M. Castro
Alpaca Whisperer
Fredricka
German Angora Rabbit
ETR Farm is a non-profit 501 (c)3
ETR Farm Co is now a 501(c)(3) education microfarm. Every donation and product purchased helps pay for feed, vet bills, and farm improvements. Your donations and purchases of products are tax deductible. Ask for a receipt card with our tax ID information.
Hands-on Fiber Processing Class
Offering New Class Soon!
10 AM to 4 PM & 11 AM to 5PM
- 10:00 AM
- Coleen Castro
- Outdoor pasture
About the Instructor
Coleen Castro has been a fiber artisan for over 20 years dabbling mostly in alpaca fiber. Her journey began with her first 4 alpacas in 2001. She quickly learned to spin with a drop spindle then a wheel. She has dabbled in wet and dry felting and weaving along the way. During COVID, she ventured out into Shave ‘Em to Save ‘em breeds through the Livestock Conservative. To add to her hands-on knowledge of fiber processing she completed Camaj School of Fiber Arts Wool Scouring Master Course becoming a Scour Master in August of 2023.
- 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Coleen Castro
- Patio
Skirting a Fleece: Hands-on
Participants will learn to skirt a raw fleece as we discuss the differences in alpaca and wool. We’ll talk about the differences of the fibers while collecting your fiber for processing. You’ll learn different ways to loosen the dirt from alpaca fiber.
- 12:30 to 1:30 PM
- Backyard
Lunch Social
Finger foods, fruit and salad served about 12:30pm. Please advise of any food allergies.
- 1:30 to 4 PM
Washing Your Fleece: Hands-on
After lunch we’ll discuss the differences in washing both fleeces including techniques to get them as clean as possible. We’ll discuss the different types of soaps to use, water temperature, and fleece to water ratios. Participants will wash, rinse, and prep their fiber for overnight drying in hanging herb dryers
Ready to attend the event?
Get your seat before they are all gone!
- 11:00 AM
- Coleen Castro
- Great Room
How to Pick and Card
We’ll learn how to use a set of hand carders, drum carder, electric drum carder, wool combs, and a box picker. We’ll use the day to process our clean fiber and prepare it for spinning. We’ll also check out some rare fiber from around the world. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to keep our fiber safe from pests and stored.
- Afternoon
- Coleen Castro
Learn to Spinning Time
Learn the beginning principles of spinning using a wheel or drop spindle or bring your own spinning wheel and relax doing what you love. This time is reserved for the art of spinning. Participants are welcome to bring their own tools and spinning wheels or spindles. Practice makes perfect and sharing time together makes it fun. Hang out and discuss fiber or take your rovings home to spin.
- 5:00 PM
- Group Lunch
- Backyard Tables
BBQ Dinner
BBQ smoked meats with fresh vegetables and a dessert served about 5pm. Please advise us of any food allergies.
Reserve your seat in this exciting hands-on event today!
Our Location
Get on the list for next year! Reserve your seat now.
ETR Farm encourages those with disabilities to visit the farm. We have worked hard to ensure that most every area is accessible and inclusive. Please contact Coleen to discuss any specific needs for your visit