New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced the second product line of NMSU’s New Mexico Heritage Wool Project, featuring a limited number of artisanal wall hangings woven with wool from sheep raised by NMSU students. These unique pieces are now available for purchase, marking a collaborative effort aimed at raising awareness of New Mexico's sheep heritage and wool industry. The project underlines the significant contribution of academia in promoting traditional practices and local economies.
The history and inception of the project play an essential role in understanding its impact. The New Mexico Heritage Wool Project was founded in 2019 within the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, and led by founder Jennifer Hernandez Gifford. Collaborating with both undergraduate and graduate animal science students, Gifford oversaw the raising of a 75-head flock of Rambouillet sheep at NMSU’s West Sheep Unit. For the design phase, Hernandez Gifford enlisted the talents of Richard Trujillo, a seventh-generation weaver and NMSU alumnus hailing from Chimayó, New Mexico, according to a press release by NMSU.
As part of its exclusive nature, each product produced is uniquely designed. "Once we run a project, we won’t re-run the same design," said Hernandez Gifford, according to a press release by NMSU. "Once they’re gone, they’re gone. You have the opportunity to own a very limited product that won’t be available ever again."
The designs carry historical significance as well. "Richard’s design emphasizes the importance of New Mexico’s weaving tradition as well as the cultural heritage of the art," said Hernandez Gifford, according to a press release by NMSU.
There are already plans for future projects to continue the initiative. "Next January, we will have two years’ worth of wool saved, and we will send that off to the mill to start the next project," said Hernandez Gifford, according to a press release by NMSU. "We are excited to continue to produce these beautiful and unique products."
The project is hosted within a college dedicated to supporting local communities in New Mexico. The College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) is dedicated to fostering community development in New Mexico, with a focus on enhancing the well-being of residents through academic, research, and Extension initiatives. Offering a comprehensive range of academic programs, ACES provides opportunities for education and research at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels according to the ACES website provided by NMSU.