The Hudson Valley Textile Project (HVTP), is a a thriving nonprofit network of regional fiber farmers, processors, dyers, manufacturers, designers, and artisans who have come together to strengthen our textile supply chain. 

We are thrilled to have chosen HVTP as the beneficiary of our Fall 2025 Giving Project. Now through the end of December 2025, when you purchase yarn at The Endless Skein to knit Mona Zillah's Heart Warming Mitts, HVTP will receive a portion of the proceeds.

We recently talked with Ann Senter, an Endless Skein customer who is also Chairperson of the Hudson Valley Textile Project's Marketing Committee, about HVTP and the meaningful work they do.

Farmer poses with her long wool flock.  Photo by Gale Zucker

How and when did HVTP get started and what is its mission?

The Hudson Valley Textile Project (HVTP) was created to strengthen the region’s farm-to-fabric supply chain. We are on a mission to bring regionally produced natural fibers to consumers, and re-establish our fiber economy. HVTP offers members opportunities to collaborate in business, access educational tools, and participate in marketing initiatives. Members are an inter-dependent network of fiber farmers, processors, dyers, designers, retailers and artisans. HVTP is non-profit, membership organization supported by member dues, grants and partnerships.

The two founders, Gail Parrinello (Cornwall Yarn Shop) and Mary Jeanne Packer (Battenkill Fibers) originally met over Gail’s search for a discontinued yarn from Mary Jeanne’s mill. From there, they discovered a common interest in the larger community of Hudson Valley fiber related enterprises and a desire to help it connect and grow. They reached out to others, leveraging their own business networks, and in 2016 founded the Hudson Valley Textile project. The Hudson Valley Textile Project is now a thriving network of regional fiber farmers, processors, dyers, manufacturers, designers, and artisans who have come together to strengthen our textile supply chain.

Norah Moses, Clean Fleece manager, poses with HVTP's scouring equipment.  Photo by Paige Green

What is your role and how did you get involved with HVTP?

I have always been a wool nerd, a huge fan of local farm fibers and fascinated by the textile history in our region. I volunteered to help at the NY Sheep & Wool Festival and have been pitching in where needed ever since. While an amateur among the very accomplished leadership group, I bring an outsider’s perspective, and my corporate and nonprofit marketing experience to the HVTP mission.

What are some of the ways people can get involved with HVTP and support its mission?

Whatever your natural fiber interest or role, you will benefit from plugging into the resources and community of the HVTP member network. From there you will learn about opportunities to join a committee, support a special project or offer your expertise to others. Please take a look at the links below to learn more.

What are the benefits of HVTP membership?

First, you will be joining a lively, creative group of people who will enlighten and inspire you. You are also likely to meet others who share your work – or complement it with services or products you might have been searching for. Member benefits include exclusive communications, access to our member directory and the Member Marketplace, representation at events and in advocacy efforts at the state and federal level. Training and support is offered throughout the year and at the HVTP Annual Summit.

Attendees enjoy speakers at the 2025 HVTP Annual Summit.  Photo by Gale Zucker

What’s next for HVTP?

HVTP has grown rapidly, and with that growth come exciting opportunities to collaborate and address critical supply chain gaps. Our progress would not be possible without the support of the New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC), from which we receive funding and with whom we are proud to serve as a consortium member. Their partnership has been vital to every step of our growth. Looking ahead, we will be launching a strategic planning process to help chart our future, while ensuring that our recent initiatives continue to thrive.

In 2023, the Clean Fleece scouring facility opened and is now fully operational. This year, HVTP and NYFIC jointly established the Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX), whose mission is to connect farmers to commercial buyers and serve as a hub for industries seeking high-quality fiber from the Northeast. Together, these efforts represent essential services to make quality fiber more accessible to the marketplace, ultimately strengthening fiber production and processing businesses throughout the region.

Education is also a central focus of our work. We are developing both online and in-person resources for farmer education, aimed at improving fiber quality, as well as consumer and student education at all levels. Our goal is to inspire the next generation to become informed consumers and prepare future professionals for careers in the growing sustainable textile industry.

We are currently in the planning and fund-raising stages for an artist-in-residency and textile supply chain internship program that will welcome its first cohort of participants in 2026. With the sad passing of our long-time friend and advisor Sara Bauer (from Yarns at Yin Hoo Podcast) we received a pledge of a small endowment to support the launch of this new program. Your donations will help Sara’s nest egg multiply and enable us to offer important growth and learning opportunities to makers and textile entrepreneurs in the near future.

Fleeces being skirted during shearing day at HVTP member farm

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Please stop by the HVTP booth at NY Sheep & Wool and introduce yourself! Put the Annual Summit, held on April 22, on your calendar to join others for a terrific day of networking and inspiration. Be a curious consumer! Ask where your yarn or clothing was made, and thank shop owners for offering locally made or sourced products. Please sign up to be a member right now to access our member marketplace, directory, weekly communications, and benefit from being a part of this growing, dynamic community.

And, on behalf of all of HVTP, thank you for your support and for highlighting our work!

Links to HVTP Resources:

Subscribe to the HVTP Newsletter

Become an HVTP Member

Learn More about NYS Fiber + Sustainable Textiles

Teachers: Access the "Made in NY- Exploring Local Supply Chains + Career Pathways Through Textiles" Lesson Plan

Be sure to follow HVTP on Instagram @hvtextileproject and on Facebook @HVTextileProject.

Your yarn purchase to knit Mona Zillah's Heart Warming Mitts, our Fall 2025 Giving project, will help support HVTP's important work. Start your Fall Giving Project today!