Co-Op History Become a Member Fiber in Illinois Education Newsletters   The Illinois Green Pastures Fiber Cooperative was formed in July 2006 to aid producers in developing their wool management and marketing abilities and to introduce Illinois wool to the domestic and international fiber arts market. In September 2006 the Co-Op was awarded a Small, Minority Producer Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help the Co-Op increase membership, increase awareness of the Co-Op to the consumer market, and to increase sales of the Co-Op’s wool and fiber related products. As part of the plan, the Co-Op became the sponsor of Fleece to Fiber – A Fiber Arts Festival scheduled for June 16-17, 2007 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois. Going forward, the Co-Op members plan to use the positive awareness generated by the Fleece to Fiber – A fiber Arts Festival to encourage the small minority fiber producers in Illinois to develop their businesses as we develop an identity for Illinois fiber locally, nationally and globally.