About Us
It all began in late August 2008, when John was looking around the Internet and happened upon an alpaca site. Being an inquisitive person, he started researching alpacas and having an interest in owning a farm, became convinced this was our next life's challenge. As he explained it, here was an opportunity to live a relaxed enjoyable life, around great animals and we would be able to do this late in life as well.
We next visited a farm in Moyock, NC for a farm visit and Iris' first visit with an alpaca. What is not to love about these great animals? While we stood in the barn with the owners, one of their really friendly alpacas was standing in the circle with us. Next, John visited a farm in Smithfield. By now, he was convinced. In late October of 2008, we went to Lexington, VA for the Alpaca Expo. While there, we took in a seminar from Lou Eustance, of French Hollow Alpacas on Jump Starting your alpaca business. We also spent some good time talking to Lou about the alpaca business, and Iris came home convinced this was the right thing to do.
For the next couple of months we visited several other farms and began looking for a farm of our own. In the meantime we purchased 2 white maidens and a medium silver gray lady. They were boarded (agisted) at their respective farms in PA and SC until we moved them to our farm.
We found our farm in late April of 2009 and closed on it at the end of May. We moved onto the land on June 15, 2009 and began the fencing on the 2 areas we selected for pastures. Our first alpacas came here on August 28th, Joy and 2 of her sons out of Peruvian Ion, Essence and Tequile. Soon after, the agitated alpacas arrived and also our guard llama Chocolate Chip. Since then our herd has grown to 23, 17 alpacas and 6 llamas. We have bought some really good females, adopted a male from a petting zoo, as well as purchasing 2 gray and 1 black geldings, so as to increase our selection of yarn colors.
Presently we have 4 pastures fenced and will start on the next set of pastures this Spring (2012). Fencing is expensive, so we have had to pace ourselves. Infrastructure in very expensive. However we now have all the tractor tools we need and are finishing up the small stuff. For example, the blackberries are being trellised, new peach trees added along with a whole new blueberry patch and a long row of eating grapes.
In addition to the alpaca venture, we also raise produce for resale, both here at the farm and at the local Farmers Markets. I also sell produce to some of my old and good customers from my days in the wholesale produce business.
This past Fall (2011) we have had 2 baby alpacas and 1 baby llama born. It is great fun to watch them run around the pasture chasing each other, while I am feeding their moms. And so here we are 2 ½ years later, living our dream and loving it!
Pictures
Photos of Golden Eagle Alpaca Farm.
