Fosston Wool Mill Fills Niche for US-made Products

FOSSTON, Minn. (AP) - A new wool mill in Minnesota is filling a niche, as consumers nationwide are demanding more natural and American-made products.

Stephanie Anderson started Northern Woolen Mills two months ago in Fosston. Reports say that when all the equipment is in place in two weeks, it will produce 100 pounds of yarn a day - making it the second-largest processor in the country.

The mill has eight employees, so doesn't have a huge economic impact locally.

But the wool is all grown in the U.S., coming from sheep ranchers in Fosston, Goodridge and McIntosh, and from a bison producer in New Rockford, N.D.

The equipment can also handle llama and alpaca wool. The raw material will be turned into fine, woolen yarn, then sold to clothing makers.