As promised, today we want share more about our visit with Cotmarsh Tannery or rather where our imaginations took us after our visit with James Allen and his wife Katie.
James and Katie run a regenerative farm in Wiltshire, England. They have a passion for the wool and leather industry and are in the process of creating a non-profit educational center where students of all ages can learn about wool and leather and how textiles can be produced with respect to the land and animals in meat production. James is passionate about creating a hub for leather makers to come and learn about the veg tan method of producing quality leather. Katie is passionate about using natural dyes grown on farm to produce quality woolen goods. If you want to, you can follow their journey here: Cotmarsh Tannery CIC.
This idea got us thinking. We are currently the largest natural sheepskin tannery in the United States. We travel to sheep and wool festivals all over working to educate folks about the usefulness of naturally tanned sheepskin; to demonstrate the difference between factory made, chrome tanned sheepskin and our handcrafted, bark tanned process; to teach farmers about the benefits using the hides of their animals as an additional revenue stream; and to share the benefits of naturally tanned sheepskin in everyday life. What if we could create a place here in the Driftless where we can tell the story of traditional, sustainably crafted sheepskin to a wide audience by designing a workspace that is conducive to tours with large viewing windows into the tannery operation and a gathering space for educational programs?
So far, this idea is just a concept. To implement this we would need to find a suitable location and obtain the necessary capital. If you would like to see this happen, give us a shout on social media or email us at driftlesstannery@gmail.com. We are open to thoughts, ideas or any type of support or energy you want to send our way.
Driftless Tannery was founded on a dream, a desire to turn waste into opportunity for shepherds without producing more toxic waste in its wake. This dream has become a business that helps hundreds of shepherds generate more income on their farms while producing sustainable heirloom textiles for eco conscious consumers. We want to share our story, to teach folks how it is done so that it can continue long after we are gone.
Thank you for reading and for following our journey in natural tanning.
Until next time!