Natural fibre products in the spotlight at Saskatoon show

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Saskatchewan’s natural fibre producers will stage their largest public showcase ever during the upcoming “Saskatchewan indemand 2007” trade show in Saskatoon.

The show was conceived and developed by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and Prairieland Park as an opportunity for entrepreneurs to promote their Saskatchewan-made products and services.

“Saskatchewan indemand 2007” will take place September 14 to 16 at Prairieland Park. Along with the trade fair, it will offer educational sessions with keynote speakers highlighting the steps necessary to become a successful marketer of Saskatchewan products, including the stories of those who have already developed new businesses.

The natural fibre sector will be offering a virtual show-within-a-show, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Tara Jaboeuf. It will be called “Fibre inDemand, Naturally!”

“There’s a whole bunch of different producers who got together and created this brand around natural fibres,” Jaboeuf said. “We have different industry groups from alpacas, sheep, llamas, rabbits, goats and flax. It’s our own little area and our own little specialty, showcasing what we do with fibre.”

Displays will be provided by both industry groups and individual producers, including some 20 individual booths and a large demonstration area.

“For example, they will bring fleeces and then show knitting, spinning and weaving with wool,” Jaboeuf said. “They’re going to have some sales at the booths in the trade show, and do some demonstrations both at the booths and in the demonstration area.”

Lynn Hilderman, an alpaca producer who operates Country Vista Alpacas near Duval, is co-ordinating a fibre product competition that will be held during the show.

“Anybody who has a product made of at least 70 per cent natural fibre can enter their work in the competition,” Hilderman said. “We have categories for individual artisans, mills or commercial operations, guilds and two different youth age groups.”

Hilderman says the competition and displays will showcase the full spectrum of skills and uses for fibre.

“Spinning, dyeing, hand-knitting, machine-knitting, crocheting, hand-weaving, sewing manufactured material, artwork and felting will all be judged,” she noted. “We’re hoping that, with the involvement of the different industries, we can have a good turnout and really show Saskatchewan people the diversity and opportunities in the fibre industry.”

Emerging products developed from flax fibre will also be on display, including recently created industrial applications, some of which will be seen for the first time.

“Saskatchewan indemand 2007” and “Fibre inDemand, Naturally!” are not only a showcase for the public, but an important opportunity for current and future entrepreneurs to meet, network and explore new business opportunities.

“People will talk with different associations and trading partners to see what they can do about selling, buying, and dealing with Saskatchewan products,” Jaboeuf said.

The show will also be seen by an important national audience. The Economic Developers Association of Canada is holding its annual meeting in Saskatoon at the same time, and delegates will be chartered to Praireland Park to view the exhibits and demonstrations.

Prairieland Park is still accepting exhibitors to “Saskatchewan indemand.” Anyone interested should contact Prairieland or visit their website at www.saskatoonex.com for details.

For more information, contact:
Tara Jaboeuf, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 933-5099
E-mail: tjaboeuf@agr.gov.sk.ca