AOA National Education and Fiber Conference
The AOA National Education and Fiber Conference, held in conjunction with the AOA National Fleece Show, brings together alpaca owners and fiber enthusiasts from across the country to learn, network, and skill-build. The three-day weekend will consist of a variety of educational seminars from industry experts, discussion-based breakout sessions, hands-on workshops, evening excursions, and more! This is a great opportunity to connect with members of the industry both in-person and virtually.
July 14–16, 2023
Boone County Cooperative Extension
(just minutes from Cincinnati, Ohio)
6028 Camp Ernst Road
Burlington, Kentucky 41005
Hours
Friday — Sunday • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
2022 Virtual Sessions
If you missed the 2022 event you can still purchase the virtual sessions. To view the information on the speakers and seminars visit the registration site through ViewStub.
Special Events
$125
Total Immersion Fleece Clinic
Join us as AOA offers its second fleece immersion clinic for members who want to gain more depth in their understanding of fiber characteristics. This full day experience led by AOA Senior Judge Instructors, Amanda VandenBosch and Wade Gease, will feature both suri and huacaya fleece, focusing on structure, function, and assessment.
$180
Sorting, Grading, Classing Suny Basic Course
The goal of the Basic Course is to have natural fiber producers gain the knowledge to return to their farm and organize their fiber for production. Management, harvesting, sorting are the building blocks for the course. Included also is information on yarn production to familiarize the students with processing at artisan mills. Participants will leave with the tools they need to get their fiber out of storage and separated so they can maximize yield and minimize cost at their mill. In addition, it will prepare them with the background knowledge necessary to continue into the Advanced Course and if desired Apprenticeship Program. Students will be provided a workbook and tested Grade 3 calibration fiber sample for their reference.
Inaugural AOA Fleece Auction
This auction will give members a market to sell their quality fleeces. Not only does this give exposure to alpaca fiber but it gives buyers access to quality prize winning fleeces.