FOSSTON — 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. 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.