Mary Jeanne Packer founded Battenkill Fibers in Greenwich, NY in 2009 to provide value-added, custom carding and spinning services for farmers; and to manufacture yarn for wholesale and retail markets. In 2023, two employees joined MJ as business partners; and together they have built a business that has nearly 1000 customers and continues to expand. Earlier in her career, MJ worked as a consultant in the rural tourism, natural resources and agriculture industries and related trade associations. MJ is a co-founder of the non-profit Hudson Valley Textile Project and serves as the organization’s executive director where she oversees the operation of its Clean Fleece NY wool scouring facility and the new Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX) wool warehouse. She is a member of the American Wool Council, NY Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee, NY Ag in the Classroom board of directors, and serves on the executive board of the Empire Sheep Producers Association. In 2023, she was appointed by the Commissioner of NYS Dept. of Agriculture to the NY Natural Fibers Textile Development Workgroup.