University of Wyoming Blanket Throw Project

University of Wyoming’s wool throws are a product of an intentional, innovative continuation of the university’s heritage of being foundational support to Wyoming’s sheep ranchers. Each one is a product of one of Wyoming’s most resilient agricultural stakeholders and livestock species. The wool for each blanket comes from the University of Wyoming’s heritage breed of sheep developed at UWYO 100 years ago. Manufactured by Mountain Meadow Wool Mill in Buffalo, WY, this woolen throw celebrates the sustainable, rugged fabric of the rural west.

The University of Wyoming was established 130 years ago to support and sustain Wyoming’s agricultural industries. Over the past 100 years, science has advanced, and discovery has continued. But too often innovation has been withheld from our agricultural stakeholders. The original focus on state and regional needs that led to the founding of UWYO has too often been replaced by federal funding with distant dictates.

As the economic realities of rural America shift, UWYO uses research, outreach, and innovation to steady those gleaning a living from Wyoming’s beautiful landscapes. The sheep industry continues to thrive in the Cowboy State. But thriving today is not enough to guarantee survival tomorrow. Who will help those on the land? Who will train the next generation of scientists, farmers, and students? The University of Wyoming always has and always must.

We must continue to invest in Wyoming’s agricultural arts in order to assure their continuation into the next century. This requires innovative funding. Proceeds from blanket sales will support the funding of sheep industry teaching, research, and extension efforts within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming.

This “blanket project” is more than a good way to stay warm, it is a responsive alternative to meeting some of these funding needs for the long term. These blankets are a small way to support our earliest mission while also opening the door to new, creative projects and initiatives that will help economically sustain the fabric of the rural west.

When people in and out of Wyoming purchase a blanket, they are collaborating with the university in this vital work. Each blanket sale helps ensure our heritage is not left in the past, but rather it becomes something sustainable supported by innovation. We know a blanket like this is a bit of an investment. It costs more to produce a product from our own land, with our own mills.

That is why we intentionally chose a home good as our first project. It's important to us, people understand this work is valuable, and the products of our state's landscape can become an integral part of their home landscape. It is a worthwhile investment because products of our land last.

You can purchase your very own UW blanket here:  https://bit.ly/fbUWthrow

Guest Author - Lindsay Stewart, University of Wyoming Blanket Coordinator