By Taylor Rice, Apparel Merchandising and Management Undergraduate Student and Research Assistant

Throughout the past year, I worked as an undergraduate researcher on Cal Poly Pomona’s USDA Sustainable Apparel and Engineering Project. 

During the project, I conducted research on sustainable product development by examining wool processing practices, local consumer perceptions, and environmental challenges. I engaged in community outreach, field visits, and collaboratively presented findings at Cal Poly Pomona’s annual student research conference. 

A major component of the project was considering the feasibility of working with the campus wool produced by the sheep unit. A primary goal was to assess farm-to-retail wool products that can eventually be sold at the campus Farm Store. I worked on analyzing wool fibers, understanding how micron size affects overall wool quality and characteristics, and am spinning wool on a drop spindle to create yarn as a viable textile product. 

A field visit to the LA County Fair was conducted in May 2026. The fair theme for 2026 was “Play your Way.” In doing a field visit, I aimed to understand how natural-fiber textiles are marketed, examine locally produced artisanal, hand-crafted clothing, textiles, and accessories, and to view our campus sheep unit at the petting zoo. It is essential to observe current fiber art practices, and award-winning textile products to determine what creative innovations may be attractive to local consumers. Additionally, viewing natural-fiber products provides insight into how to utilize educational messaging and product storytelling to exhibit and prospectively sell locally sourced wool products.

Award winning knitwear at the Home Arts competition section at the LA County Fair. Photos by Taylor Rice, 2026.

Visiting the sheep unit offered an opportunity to see sheep that were recently shorn. The team of undergraduate researchers on the Cal Poly Pomona USDA Sustainable Apparel and Engineering Project is currently working with wool processed at US fiber mills. The end goal is to bring more recognition to locally sourced, ethical, and sustainably made products that highlight student work. 

Cal Poly Pomona Sheep at the LA County Fair Petting Zoo, and signage to inform guests about where the animals came from and to promote the Huntley College of Agriculture. Photos by Taylor Rice, 2026.

Overall, working as an undergraduate research assistant on this project has been extremely rewarding and directly aligns with research I want to pursue in graduate school. I have interests in studying sustainable textile innovations and how regenerative agriculture connects to natural-fiber production. Working alongside Dr. Trejo and my research partner has strengthened my skills in collaboration, written communication, research strategies, and overall knowledge on sustainable product development. I look forward to continuing to learn about sustainable textile development and encourage consumers to recognize the benefits of supporting the slow fashion movement.

This work was supported by a Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program (HSI) Grant no. 2024-77040-43098 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.