In April of 2015, Ron and Dianne Ganslein acquired Ohio Valley Natural Fibers (OVNF) from Ginny Ferguson. Ginny and her now deceased husband, Kent, started OVNF over 30 years ago. At the time the Ganslein’s purchased OVNF, they owned Klarwasser Farm in Peebles, Ohio and raised Icelandic sheep. Their decision to purchase OVNF came naturally due to their existing farm and Dianne’s love for fiber and handspinning. Shortly after purchasing OVNF, Ron and Dianne decided to build a new home on their farm in Peebles for the mill. Peebles is approximately 30 minutes east of Sardenia where the OVFN mill was originally located. Much like other mills in the U.S., Ron & Dianne worked hard to refurbish the antique milling equipment, retain expertise in a declining industry, and deliver a quality product to customers. It took a little longer than they anticipated, but they’ve been successful at accomplishing all three. Once the mill was moved to Peebles, Ron and Dianne renamed their farm to Ohio Valley Farm & Fiber Mill (OVFFM) to encompass all the products and services the addition of the mill created for their farm. Ron & Dianne Ganslein are just as committed to catering to the needs of small flock growers and fiber enthusiasts along with delivering a quality product through the mill as they are committed to their sustainable farming practices. In addition to raising Icelandic sheep, breeding services from their sheep are offered along with their meat, fiber and pelts available for purchase. Eggs and meat are available for purchase from their farm-raised chickens. Produce and fruit grown on the farm are available seasonally along with firewood. Weened pups are available for purchase from the farm’s registered livestock guard dogs as well. The Ganslein’s dream to create a ‘sheep-to-shawl’ experience for visitors on their farm is coming along. We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening at the mill and we are excited to share them with you as they unfold.
