Our Board of Directors:

Barb French is a maker with a life-long devotion to natural fibers. She learned to sew and knit from her mom, a fiberista of amazing prowess, received a Singer treadle machine at 14 and began making her own clothes, knit a first sweater in high school, took tailoring classes at MSU, studied design at FIT, went off the deep end with spinning, weaving and dying in the early aughts, has co-owned a yarn shop, is active in local guilds, and her fiber obsession continues unabated. As a fourth-generation Montanan, Barb is delighted to be a part of Montana Fibershed, and the work to strengthen Montana's wonderful textile community.

Born and raised in the mountains outside Helena, MT, Alayna earned her undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Oregon in 2010 and her MFA from Montana State University in 2020.  Always a passionate maker and tinkerer, Alayna’s formal textile training began in 2015 when she was awarded a yearlong residency at New York City’s Textile Arts Center where she focused on handweaving and natural dying. Alongside her fine art practice, Alayna has worked as a designer and production coordinator for a wide range of apparel and softgood labels and has her own line, Absorka which releases small collections of handmade garments as well as custom pieces.  She is most well known in the local fiber community for her sculptural dye gardens and her work with milkweed floss, championing the ‘new material’ as a renewable, pollinator-friendly, plant-based alternative to goose down or synthetic insulation inside winter jackets.  She is currently based in Livingston, MT and teaches at Montana State University.

Elizabeth has always been interested in the relationships between humans and animals, particularly as they pertain to the food we eat and, as she studied more, the fibers we wear. While farming, she became fascinated with the many purposes of sheep and livestock on the land, from fuel reduction to incredible fibers.

She took a sheep shearing course and fell in love with the art of wool harvesting; from there she got a spinning wheel, started dying natural fibers and can be often found weaving and crocheting. 

In her free time she can be found hiking around with her dog and drawing inspiration from Montana's incredible landscapes, or traditionally tanning hides. She is excited to be on the board and bring her background in community advocacy and love of natural fibers. 

Angela and her family own a small flock of 20 Colored South Australian Merino sheep in the Flathead Valley near gorgeous Glacier Park.

With degrees in Biology and Computer Science, Angela puts her experience to work running the IT tasks for the board and growing a regenerative farm through land-beneficial practices. 

With her Master Beekeeping Certification from the University of Montana, Angela teaches beekeeping classes at the local community college and presides as president of the local beekeeping club.

In her "free" time, she volunteers as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for foster children and sings in the Glacier Symphony Chorale. Her business can be found at foxfarmhomestead.com

Danielle has roots in Colorado, experience on her family’s sheep and cattle ranch in Wyoming, and a graduate degree in range management. Fueling a lifelong passion for land stewardship. This commitment drives her mission to ensure the resilience of working lands and the continued presence of producers in the Rocky Mountain West. When she’s not dedicating her time to supporting the wool industry, you can find her in the mountains, on the water, or working towards her homesteading goals.

Teema grew up in an agricultural family dedicated to working collaboratively with local

agencies and fellow producers to steward the land and make the health of the whole central when

determining all priorities.  MTFS' mission speaks to the values she was taught as a child and continues to foster to this day. She believes dedicating to and focusing on her local community is the best way to effect change.

MTFS has a built-in region that makes this local mission-driven purpose central that she appreciates immensely.