Join us for Fiber Fun!
The Cashmere Goat Association: Click Here
Learn about the different types of goats and the fiber they produce. Enjoy speaking with fiber artisans. Take part in the demos Friday and Saturday. (Schedule coming soon).
If you are part of the Fiber industry, in Goats and/or Sheep, come hang out and share your knowledge.
During the Youth Goat Camp, we will have fiber demos that are hands on for the kids. On Thursday evening everyone may try their hand at felting. Small fee will apply for materials. Please bring cash to pay the instructor (about $5-8 per person).
Pam Marshall: Cashmere Goat Association
Pamela (Pam) Marshall and her husband, Robert (Bob) Marshall, have been esteemed breeders and purveyors of cashmere goats and luxury fiber since 1995, operating from their picturesque small farm in Colorado. What began as a modest three-goat 4-H project for their two children blossomed into a cherished family legacy, which Pam and Bob enthusiastically embraced as their children grew and ventured out on their own. Over the years, Pam has cultivated deep expertise in the selective breeding and professional judging of both cashmere goats and their prized fiber, while Bob has refined his artistry in spinning and knitting, transforming the exceptionally fine cashmere into exquisite handcrafted goods.
An influential figure in the cashmere goat community, Pam has served with distinction as the Superintendent of the Cashmere Goat Show at Colorado’s renowned Estes Park Wool Market for over a decade. Her discerning eye and extensive knowledge have made her a sought-after judge at numerous prestigious events, including multiple 4-H competitions across Colorado, the Estes Park Wool Market, and the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. Additionally, she holds a leadership role as a member of the Board of Directors and the North American Cashmere Judging Committee for the Cashmere Goat Association, where she contributes to advancing industry standards and education.
Though Pam and Bob have begun the gradual transition toward retirement, their dedication to their herd remains unwavering. They aim to reduce their flock to fewer than 15 animals—a challenging endeavor, given the irresistible charm of newborn kids and the endearing personalities of their mature goats. Their passion for these remarkable animals and their commitment to quality cashmere production continue to define their legacy in the fiber arts and livestock community.
For inquiries, collaborations, or fiber purchases, Pam can be reached at:
PLCMARSHALL12@gmail.com
Dorothy McClure: Cashmere Fiber Fun
Dorothy McClure is a proud Midwest farm girl living in Riverton, Kansas, where she and her husband, Austin, have made their home since September 2016. Their farm is a lively haven filled with chickens, dogs, cats, Angora rabbits, and a growing herd of cashmere goats and llamas. Dorothy’s journey with goats began in Joplin, Missouri, where she first fell in love with cashmere goats. However, city limits weren’t goat-friendly, and after a visit from the game warden, her goats temporarily returned to their breeder until Dorothy could bring them to her farm in the country. Once settled, she reintroduced four cashmere goats in 2017, including the two from her Joplin days. Today, her herd has flourished, ranging from 60 to 100 goats depending on the season, alongside a small group of llamas.
Though Dorothy was involved in FFA as a kid, goats were entirely new to her when she started. She quickly discovered a deep love for these animals, particularly cashmere goats, which she describes as hardy, mild-tempered, and versatile. Each goat has its own unique personality, and Dorothy finds endless joy in caring for them.
Farming is a central part of Dorothy’s life, and she embraces the hard work it requires. Her farm is not only a source of joy and comfort but also a reflection of her passion for fiber-producing animals. This ties seamlessly into her love for fiber arts, including knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, combing, and dyeing. Dorothy’s appreciation for handmade crafts began in childhood, inspired by her mom and grandmothers, who introduced her to a wide variety of creative pursuits. Some of her fondest memories are of the time spent crafting alongside these influential women.
As Dorothy looks to the future, she hopes to share her knowledge and passion with younger generations. She is deeply committed to educating children and young adults about the animals she raises and the importance of sustainable farming and fiber arts. For Dorothy, life on the farm is a labor of love, and she is dedicated to preserving and passing on the traditions and values that have shaped her journey.
Marilyn Smith: A Life Woven in Fiber
Marilyn Smith’s journey into the world of fiber arts began at her mother’s knee, where tiny hands first grasped a needle and thread. By the age of five, she had sewn her first wearable garment—a humble beginning to what would become a lifelong passion. Through childhood, she explored various forms of fiber arts, but it was during a junior high field trip that another seed was planted. There, she watched, mesmerized, as a woman demonstrated spinning at her wheel, the rhythmic whir of the spindle etching itself into Marilyn’s memory.
Life wove its own patterns after high school. She married a third-generation sheep shearer, a man whose family had spent decades working with wool. With a playful challenge, he told her she had to “support the sheep and wool industry”—little did he know how seriously she would take those words. For their first wedding anniversary, he gifted her a spinning wheel, and with determination (and no small amount of frustration), she began teaching herself to spin.
Then came the turning point: a three-day intensive spinning class, a gift from her husband, Danny. Those days transformed her craft. The once-frustrating skill became second nature, the spindle an extension of her hands. From that moment on, spinning wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling, her favorite thread in the vast tapestry of fiber arts.
Today, Marilyn Smith continues to spin her story from her home in Missouri, where wool, wheel, and wonder remain at the heart of her craft.
Learn more about the Cashmere Goat Association: Click Here