The World of Women and Alpacas

Transcription

The World
of Women
and Alpacas
A Spectrum of Success
By Meyla Bianco Johnston
Clearly, alpacas have a strong appeal for all
humans. With their sensitive natures, luxurious
fiber and strong community spirit, they are
universally fascinating. It doesn’t take a scientific
poll to see that contemporary women in the
alpaca industry are making a name for themselves.
Women raise alpacas for many reasons, with each
goal as unique as each person. At shows, inside
barns and in the media, we work independently
and together for alpacas.
Historically, taking care of the fiber-bearing livestock
has often fallen to women because many fiber arts have been
the realm of the female members of the household. Examples
are easy to conjure: think of the iconic young shepherdess,
the archetypical knitting grandmother and the seated Navajo
weaver. Modern female farmers are diversified, intelligent and
more likely to reap the financial rewards of a farming operation
through ownership than ever before.
Women of all types are represented in the alpaca community, each with her own motivation and goals.
Mother Earth News reported in the April/May 2014 edition that the number of American female farmers overall has
tripled over the past three decades, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The model they looked at is defined as
“a farm and ranch where a woman fulfills the role of ‘principal
operator.’” In 1982, women-operated farms totaled 121,600.
By 2007, that number was 306,200 farms. When you consider
women who are second in command, the number of womenoperated farms exceeds 1 million. Here, we focus mostly on
women’s roles specifically in the American alpaca industry.
But, clearly, women’s involvement and success with farms is
global–and growing.
Right: Former first grade teacher Beth Osborne still cares for the young
ones, here with cria Harmony at her Alpaca Hacienda in Temecula, California.
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Many alpaca farms are partner owned with one of
the team focusing on certain responsibilities and a support person in charge of other tasks. Others divide tasks
straight down the middle. Further, some women are
single, others are married in traditional marriages; others
are partners or best friends. Or both.
We asked a handful of women to explain here in
their own words the challenges and triumphs of raising
alpacas. These vignettes are meant to show what women
are doing now in the alpaca community, what is important to them and where they are taking the industry.
Media Maestro
Leda Blumberg and her husband, Steve Cole, own
Faraway Farm Alpacas in Yorktown Heights, New York,
located in the rolling hills of the lower Hudson Valley.
In addition to a herd of elite quality Huacayas, Leda and
Steve have Icelandic Horses and an extensive organic
garden.
She explains their interesting story. “Very briefly, I
met Steve when I was 1 (yes one). He was (and still is)
my older brother’s best friend. We always had a special
friendship, though he is eight years older than me, so it
didn’t become romantic until much later. When I was
13 years old, I told my grandmother that I would marry
Steve someday. Although our career paths took us to
different parts of the country, we eventually reunited and
married in the gardens at Faraway Farm. We are truly
soul mates. In regard to the alpaca business, I am the
primary farmer/breeder.”
Leda is an accomplished author, editor and photographer with five books and dozens of articles published.
She is co-founder and editor of Hudson Valley Horse
Source, a resource directory for equestrians in the northeast. A strong advocate for preserving farmland, Leda
serves on Westchester County’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board.
Clearly, Blumberg has a real talent in the media.
She has been extremely successful in spreading the word
about alpacas in various publications. Her open nature
and kind demeanor make her an excellent ambassador to
the public for alpacas.
In March 2012, Leda Blumberg was featured in
Westchester Magazine for her work at Faraway Farm,
an enterprise that has been in her family for more than
sixty years. In the article, she explains the salient facts
about alpacas, then goes on to outline what makes them
a lucrative and rewarding animal to raise. It’s a great
one-page piece showing a gray champion, Cloud’s Gem
Stone, with Leda and her characteristic smile.
Why is the media so vital for the alpaca industry
to take advantage of? “In order to facilitate growth of
the alpaca industry,” Blumberg says, “it is important to
educate the public about the wonderful characteristics
of alpaca fleece and all the beautiful items that can be
made from it. Seeking positive press enables us to clear
up misconceptions and to educate others about raising
alpacas and the benefits of using natural fibers that are
produced in an eco-friendly way.”
“Many folks are looking for an enhanced connection
with the natural world. They enjoy meeting an alpaca,
then purchasing yarn or a finished garment made from
that animal’s fleece. Just like a child in awe picking their
first carrot and eating it right from the garden, farm visitors enjoy learning about the origins and production of
items in our farm store–from shearing to ski sweater.
“To reach a broader audience, I wrote an article, Diary of a Passionate Alpaca Farmer, for a local publication, The Pet Gazette. I included tidbits about breeding,
birthing, showing, everyday care and creating our farm
store. An array of enticing alpaca photos illustrated the
piece. One of Martha Stewart’s staffers read the article
Leda Blumberg of Faraway Farm with champion Cloud’s Gem Stone.
Photo courtesy John Rizzo.
Martha Stewart and Leda Blumberg during the taping of the segment that aired on the Martha Stewart Living television
show, first broadcast in 2010. The two discuss alpaca yarn, garments and knitting. Photo courtesy David Russell.
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and scheduled a farm visit to learn more about alpacas.
Martha’s staff enjoyed getting their hands on the friendlier members of our herd while we discussed everything alpaca. They became enamored with our herd and
decided to produce a segment on alpacas that aired on
The Martha Stewart Show in October 2010. This video,
now posted on our website, continues to attract people to
our farm to learn more about alpacas. It has also led to
other media exposure, giving us many opportunities to
promote alpacas in a positive light.”
In this professionally edited piece, Martha Stewart
accurately explains facts about alpacas and recounts
details about alpaca fleece as well as the basics of shearing, skirting and hand processing. The seven-minute
piece prefaces an appearance by Leda and Steve with the
High Priestess of Good Things herself. The two discuss
alpaca yarn, garments and knitting. It is a really inspiring
piece because Martha Stewart is so enthusiastic and Leda
and Steve are so articulate. All the information is still
relevant.
Blumberg has several pointers for getting others
involved in the alpaca community. “Once visitors start
coming to your farm, the word spreads quickly about
your enchanting alpacas and the wonderful items made
from their fleece. There are many ways to get the community involved, such as hosting open houses, participating in AOA’s Open Farm Days, hosting seminars,
attending farmers’ markets and craft fairs, and welcoming groups like scouts, 4-H, fiber arts groups and homeschoolers.”
“At Faraway Farm, we offer a limited number of
alpaca sponsorships that enable alpaca enthusiasts to ‘test
out’ owning an alpaca before making a commitment to
ownership. The sponsors have scheduled visits to spend
time with ‘their’ alpaca and are welcome to help with
herd health, halter training and shearing. It’s a great way
to mentor folks into the pleasures of owning alpacas
while bringing in some additional income for the farm.”
Blumberg keeps future goals with her alpacas in
mind all the time. “At the risk of being overly ambitious,
I have goals in four alpaca-related areas: breeding, fiber
products, education, and therapeutic use.”
“Breeding: We strive for consistent improvement in
the quality of our breeding stock and carefully consider
each of our breeding decisions. Our goal is to raise a
healthy herd with superior fleece qualities and exemplary
conformation. We have a strong emphasis on breeding
gray, but our herd encompasses high-quality animals
of all colors. Our recent acquisition of an extraordinary
herdsire will help further our breeding goals.
“Products: Our farm store, housed in a renovated
barn, features a wide array of handmade items. We help
support our local craft community by giving fiber artists
a great venue for selling their creations. We are currently
in the process of developing our own signature line of
products, which we will bring to other venues, increasing availability and showcasing alpaca textiles to a wider
audience.
“Education: We enjoy being ambassadors for alpacas
by welcoming visitors and conducting educational farm
tours. We host seminars, some geared to the general
public (‘Why Alpacas?’) and others designed for breeders (‘Parasite Management’). During open houses, we
have fiber artists demonstrating their skills. Visitors are
delighted to see how the garments in our store are made
and to test their hand on a spinning wheel or with knitting needles.
“Therapeutic use: We periodically host farm visits
from organizations that bring small groups of people
with special needs. One of our pastures houses three
friendly PR boys, allowing a safe environment for visitors to interact with alpacas. We’ve seen the incredible
therapeutic value that alpacas offer for both children and
adults dealing with special challenges, whether emotional or physical and we intend to expand our use of alpacas
in therapeutic settings.”
Because “Alpacas have a high degree of sensitivity
and keen intuition,” Leda believes they are a great animal
for women to raise. “They respond readily to our body
language and moods. Many women are naturally intuitive and thus able to relate well to the needs of alpacas.”
“Alpacas, though capable of being quite strong, are
a nice size for most women to handle. Compared with
horses and large livestock like cows, the amount of hay
and feed that needs to be carried in to the barns – and the
amount of manure that must be carried out – is significantly less than larger farm animals.
“Many women enjoy engaging their creativity
through fiber arts: spinning, knitting, weaving, crocheting, felting and dying. Alpaca fiber is a perfect medium
and what could be nicer than crafting products from the
fleece of your own herd?”
“Like many women, I feel empowered by the skills
I’ve developed through alpaca ownership and farm
management. In addition to enhanced animal husbandry
skills, like assisting births and diagnosing fecals, I’ve
learned about marketing, website design, managing
social media, and organizing and leading workshops.
Alpaca ownership has blossomed into so much more
than just those wonderful, whimsical animals – it has
enhanced my life in innumerable ways,” Leda says.
California Dreamer
In May 2014, Cindy Harris of Alpacas at Windy Hill
was featured in Country Woman magazine.
“Cindy’s inner rancher won out after she’d worked
as a fourth-grade teacher and raised her four children
in Los Angeles,” the article explains. “‘I’d boarded my
horse for years and thought how nice it would be to have
my own place. I retired and bought a small ranch. Then
a friend introduced me to alpacas and I got my first [animals] in 2000.’”
She takes on other owners’ alpacas through agistment and currently has around 15 clients. “Alpacas are
great for people who want livestock but don’t have a lot
of land,” she says.
Cindy tells a familiar tale about how she got into
alpacas. It started with an interest in fiber arts. “My mom
taught me to crochet when I was nine and I’ve always
enjoyed it. I didn’t like wool because it itched, and I
was allergic to angora, but the first time I touched alpaca
my jaw dropped! I think that was the moment when I
decided that I needed alpacas!”
At her ranch in Somis, California, she harvests fleece
from the Huacayas and Suris she now calls her own. For
processing, she uses “A Simpler Time Mill in El Cajon,
California. They have excellent quality control and will
run the fiber separator multiple times so that even the
coarser fleece feels good when I get it back.”
Kate Kravits, a Registered Nurse, is also the spinning and weaving teacher at Windy Hill. “Teaching
fiber arts classes at the ranch is just a natural extension
of what we do,” Cindy explains. “It answers the question, ‘What do you do with the fleece,’ and establishes
credibility when I talk to prospective
buyers about the future of a commercial fleece market in the U.S.”
When newcomers visit, they
are pretty enthusiastic Cindy says,
“because of our great location. “Many
come just to see the alpacas for fun.
These are my ‘zoo’ visitors. But the
ones who come to inquire seriously
about alpacas are usually most enthusiastic about the peaceful environment
the ranch presents or the fleece itself.”
Cindy has found a way to make a
living and a lifestyle with her alpacas
and thinks alpacas are a great animal
Left: Cindy Harris, with characteristic smile, hugs a
pup at Windy Hill Alpacas in Somis, California.
Inset: Cindy leads a Suri Color Champion at a show.
for women to raise because, “Alpacas are social creatures
when handled quietly and they learn to trust us. Women
get attached to animals we raise, so they are a livestock
that provides us with a product without having to slaughter them. And then there’s the warm, fuzzy aspect of the
fleece that appeals to me. I love feeling like I am working
in partnership with my herd to produce something wonderful for other people to enjoy.”
“Owning alpacas can be adapted to a number of
purposes—lifestyle, pets, fiber artists, therapy animals…
the list goes on. But if they are to have a serious longrange role in the U.S. then we need serious breeders who
will increase the national herd to a size conducive to a
commercial fleece industry. Now is the moment we need
to move forward with that unified goal in mind.”
Teacher, Learner, Rancher
Beth Osborne “left her first-grade classroom for
greener pastures,” the November 2011 O Magazine
feature about she and her farm, Alpaca Hacienda, reports.
She moved on from her teaching position after becoming
disheartened by the prevalence of standardized tests and
the mindset that came with it.
Osborne read a magazine article about alpaca farming and was intrigued. As an educator, she naturally
gravitated toward learning something new by signing up
for classes, so she “took farming classes and attended
shearing days.”
She admits her foray into alpaca farming and starting Alpaca Hacienda was “a bit scary, as I was walking
away from my teaching career with its regular paychecks
and great benefits to jump into the unknown. Before I
did, though, I did my homework, especially since I had
never raised livestock before in my life. I went to every
seminar I could find on husbandry, fiber and marketing,
attended shows and auctions to see quality alpacas and
get a feel for pricing, and visited farms. When I finally
‘took the plunge’ I had a couple of great mentors who
helped me along the way, especially in those early years
when the learning curve can be fairly steep. I have never
looked back, though. Raising alpacas and all the joy they
have brought into my life was one of the best decisions I
have ever made.”
We wondered how different alpaca ranching was
for her after her last profession of teaching. “Well,
my husband says I simply traded working with two
legged critters to working with four-legged, fuzzy ones!
But seriously, there is a common thread between the
two walks of life and that is my love for children and
animals. Teaching in public schools has its rewards, but
it is stressful as you are dealing with parents, admin-
istrators, laws, test scores and state standards. Raising
alpacas has rewards both tangible and intangible. It can
be stressful but in a different way—it’s more of a physical stress as you are working outside in the elements,
cleaning up after the animals, hauling hay and handling
alpacas for various health procedures. But at the end of
the day, when I’m worn out and dusty, it’s a fantastic
feeling to know that I’m in charge of my business, and
my success or failure depends on me and the effort I put
into it. I love being my own boss as well as the queen of
my pastures!”
Many women in professional careers look at the
alpaca ranching business and think to themselves that it
might be a good fit for them. Beth Osborne offers this
advice. “[Newcomers should] realize that they will be
working with animals that are live, sentient beings who
will need their care every day. It’s quite a commitment of
time and energy, and not for the faint of heart, as animals
do sometimes get sick and sometimes they die. If you are
raising alpacas as a business and not a hobby, be realistic
about the income you will be able to generate by way of
sales alone. Your part of the country will dictate supply,
demand, and ultimate selling prices. To be profitable,
all sources of income streams that alpacas can provide
should be considered, from fiber and product sales, to
boarding, tours, breedings, transport, shearing services,
workshops and more. Marketing your farm and services
is essential, so time at the computer is inevitable. As with
any endeavor, know your craft, work hard and you will
reap the benefits. There’s nothing in the world more satisfying than raising these magical animals and watching
them pronk in your fields.”
Osborne is also involved in spinning and selling
yarn. “Some of my fiber I have spun by a mill for resale
in my ranch store, and some I spin myself. I have found
that knitters and crocheters love the unique and organic
quality of handspun yarn. When I don’t have the time to
spin, I have found groups of spinners that, in return for
raw fiber, will spin up my alpaca fiber into all sorts of
lovely yarns that I can offer for sale. Another great use
of my fiber to produce a sellable end-product is felting.
At the ranch we felt all kinds of things, from scarves and
shawls to pillows and purses. The softness of the fiber
will dictate the type of product that is created from it.”
Beth has found a way to stay involved with children
in conjunction with alpacas. “One of the best things
about raising alpacas is that children are a regular part of
my life once again,” she says. “I host tours at the ranch
to home school groups, special education classes, girl
scouts, preschoolers and more. We teach them about
where the animals come from, why we raise them, and
Above: Beth’s Mother Bette Osborne with Beth Osborne of Alpaca Hacienda and Rocky the alpaca.
what we do with their fiber. The children are always
amazed that the “haircut” from an alpaca can turn into
yarn, and that yarn can be made into all sorts of wonderful things. This is one aspect of raising alpacas that I find
most rewarding—to hopefully inspire the next generation
to work with animals in some capacity, and my hope is
they will choose alpacas!”
“Alpacas are a fantastic animal for women to raise,
the most obvious reason being their relatively small
size. Women can easily handle most of the general care,
including shots. Depending on the disposition of the
alpaca, I am able to treat most minor medical issues
myself, although for some procedures, such as toenail
trimming, it’s nice to have an extra set of hands. Most
women are nurturing and intuitive by nature, and both
of those qualities mesh perfectly with tending to a gentle
herd of alpacas. Oftentimes I rely on my intuition to
tell me what’s going on with an animal that seems ‘off,’
and most of the time my instincts are correct. I would
encourage any woman who loves to be physically active
and enjoys animals and the outdoors to consider raising
alpacas—it’s an endeavor of love, profitability, creativity
and being part of something bigger—perpetuating this
ancient treasure called the alpaca.”
Above: Nancy Barkoviak interacts with the gray alpacas from the BlueGenes herd.
Inset: JC Williamson and Nancy Barkoviak of BlueGenes with one of the alpacas that
inspired the tagline: “Isn’t it time for a new pair of genes?”
Partners in Success
Partners Nancy Barkoviak and JC Williamson run
BlueGenes Alpaca Ranch in Olney, Maryland. The
couple was featured in the Washington Post and Gazette
in April 2014. Reporter John Kelly’s piece explains that
Nancy and JC started their herd about ten years ago. JC
is a graphic designer and Nancy is a registered nurse and
alpacas are a shared interest.“’ It seemed to be a fun thing
to do as we approached retirement,’ JC says.”
The pair breed gray alpacas exclusively. JC and
Nancy explain how it happened. “One of the first farms
we visited raised classic gray alpacas and we absolutely
fell in love with their unique white ‘tuxedo’ pattern.
We also learned that gray alpaca fleece was not as high
quality as the white alpacas’ (in part because whites have
been bred longer). We don’t have a lot of property (about
six acres total) so we decided to focus on one color rather
than all of them.”
“Plus, Nancy was especially interested in genetics,
so we thought focusing on breeding grays and improving
the quality of their fleece were ambitious but attainable
goals.”
The pair embrace technology–they were even
involved with launching GrayAlpacaCentral.com. “Five
gray breeders: Alpine Alpacas; Alpaca Annuals; A Paca
Fun Alpacas; Cherry Run Alpacas; and BlueGenes Alpaca Ranch wanted a website that could offer gray breeders a place to go for accurate information about gray
alpacas and gray genetics and gray breeding,” JC and
Nancy explain. “The site was especially unique because
it was one of–if not the first–site to offer a pictorial data
base. When making breeding decisions for grays, seeing
the dam and sire is very useful.
“As Facebook’s popularity increased, we decided
to begin a group there and are currently on Facebook as
Gray Alpaca Central. The same farms are sponsors, but
Cherry Run and Alpine joined forces and are now one
business: The Gray Alpaca Company. There are also
pages for selling alpacas and promoting herd sires, but
breeders from all over the world, not just the U.S., have
the opportunity to share information and improve their
breeding programs.”
They were recently recognized with a prestigious
award at the AOA Nationals. We asked what winning the
Small Breeder Huacaya Classic Cup meant to Barkoviak
and Williamson. “One of our primary goals when we
first entered the business,” JC and Nancy explain, “was
to improve the quality of the gray fleeces. Winning the
Small Breeder Huacaya Classic Cup was an honor and
validation of our breeding program and ten years of
work.”
As to why alpacas are a great animal for women to
raise, they take a practical approach. “Anyone who loves
the outdoors, appreciates animals, isn’t afraid to get their
hands (and everything they wear) dirty, can raise alpacas.
Alpacas are somewhat easier to handle than larger livestock, which is probably beneficial to women.”
JC asserts that women can role model for others
in the alpaca industry, “The same way they do for any
industry. Learn everything you can about your product.
Network, volunteer and participate in related events.
Have goals and work toward them. Be honest, ethical
and available to newcomers.”
Clearly, this formula has served Nancy and JC well,
judging by their success.
Twist of Fate (Ironie du Sort)
Stillmeadow Farm is located in Stonington, Connecticut. Owner Pamela Brewster has lived on the property her entire life. She and her husband Michael trained
hunters and show horses on the A circuit for many years
until his untimely passing five years ago.
Sylvie Remingol hails from Brittany, France. She
studied equines for four years then came to Stonington
as Pam’s daughter’s nanny in 1989. In 1990, she traveled
back across the pond to Ireland to work for Aga Khan
Studs, one of the top owners and breeders of thoroughbred horses in the entire world. Sylvie then spent some
time in Australia where she was introduced to alpacas.
Throughout the years, Pam and Sylvie remained
great friends. Pam turned to Sylvie after Michael passed
away and she needed help managing her horse farm.
Sylvie Remingol (and Pam Brewster looking on) of Stillmeadow Farm examining a young alpaca with Greg Mecklem of Pacific Crest
Accoyo America at this year’s Parade of Champions Auction held in May at Little Creek Farm Alpacas in North Salem, New York.
Pamela Brewster of Stillmeadow Farms in Stonington, Connecticut
jumping Vernon at the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania in 1984.
Neither of the two wanted to continue with horses, “So
we put our heads together and after a month of research,
we purchased our first alpacas,” Sylvie says.
While Pam is the sole owner, Sylvie explains, “We
work closely together daily on any decision and direction
we take.”
“We love our alpacas and try to know them each
individually which helps us take care of them, as their
health is our priority. We are very fortunate to have help
from Max, Hugo, and Helen who stay on the farm and
care for them as much as we do when we are away.”
As far as the industry’s future, Sylvie concedes that,
“The recession has hit the industry hard, but we firmly
believe it is coming back, and by continuously improving
the quality of our animals in this country it can only get
better.”
“At Stillmeadow we are trying to keep the highest
quality of alpacas,” Sylvie says, “and hope to be known
as only offering such animals.” She adds, “They are very
easy animals to take care of, and we love the feel of their
fleece. Working with it takes time and patience.”
Look for French national Sylvie and American Pam
at shows in the New England area.
year career as an attorney in downtown Chicago. In what she calls her previous life, Frana
concentrated her practice in divorce and custody
litigation. She “…was among the vanguard of
attorneys who were able to win a change of
custody from a mother to a father of a six-year
old girl in mid 1973. I wrote articles for professional journals, periodicals, and a chapter in an
Illinois Practice of Law book. I was one of the
youngest members ever admitted to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.” Frana
helped form Lawyers for Creative Arts with a
Bar Association Committee and served on their
Board for a number of years. She also represented a woman’s art gallery and their foundation. “I
collected art, painted and sculpted and sailed out
of Monroe Street Harbor on a Santana 22. I also had the
luxury of a cleaning lady.” This was especially helpful
because she has described herself as “‘the girl who didn’t
like to get her hands dirty.’”
Frana began to experience litigation fatigue and
came face to face with “the concept of the win-win versus the litigator’s win-lose.” After a disabling multi-year
bout with depression, Frana’s life took a 180-degree turn.
She stepped away from the legal profession and made
her priority breeding and caring for alpacas. Her lifelong
Frana Biederman of Phi Beta Paca: Alpacas of Taos with Phi Beta Paca
Kipster. This animal was named for the photographer’s husband,
geologist Kip Hodges PhD, who teaches at ASU and was born on Kip’s
birthday. Photo by Larky Hodges.
Finding Her Secret to Happiness
Frana Biederman of Phi Beta Paca Alpacas of Taos
can be seen with a pair of her animals at many nursing
and retirement homes, farmers markets, alpaca shows
and other events, introducing the public to alpacas with
her characteristic Chicago accent, even though she has
lived in Taos New Mexico for more than 14 years.
She had no clue that she would discover the secret
to her happiness after she burned out of her near twenty54 | Alpaca Culture • September 2014 - Copyright © 2014 Subscribe at: www.AlpacaCulture.com
Frana Biederman of Phi Beta Paca: Alpacas of Taos carefully examines fleece with client Kukimo. Photo courtesy Larry Bell.
quest for learning and development is now trained on
raising the very best animals.
At the 2013 Wool Festival at Taos, she brought her
alpacas to mingle with the largely wool enthusiast crowd.
All day, she patiently answered questions and educated
the public as a sort of alpaca ambassador. Her energy
was seemingly unending when it comes to alpacas–and
her passion is infectious.
We asked her what newcomers should know about
raising alpacas. “There is no such thing as a dumb question. Ask! Ask! Ask!” Biederman says. “All long-term
breeders were once beginners with a much smaller pool
of knowledge.”
“If you fall in love with alpacas, be prepared to
stretch your comfort zone. Stretching my comfort zone
for me meant getting my hands dirty. Shoveling poop
was just the beginning. I learned how to do fecals; took
a neo-natal course with a wet lab, subsequently delivering a breech birth baby (saving the dam who was able to
rebreed, but waiting too long and losing the cria); and a
course in how to draw blood from the jugular. I wanted
to give my alpacas the best care and getting in to see a
vet in the area I live was often a three-day wait. With
alpacas, the time to act is at the first hint of a problem, as
they hide issues. When you see it, it is probably the eleventh hour and there is a short window to start treatment.”
She urges new breeders to find out about the care
their animals will inevitably need. “What veterinary
services are available to you? Does the vet make house
calls? Will the vet treat alpacas? Is the vet willing to
consult with the vet experts who generously give of their
time and in-depth experience? Is your vet willing to take
seminars to remain current on the latest alpaca issues and
treatments?”
“Read and join groups such as ‘Paca This’ on
Facebook and ‘Alpacasite’ in Yahoo groups. There is a
wealth of information and some of the most experienced
breeders know more than many of the vets in the country.
Keep a file on various symptoms and treatments. I like to
use Evernote. I also keep a database on my alpacas using
an older iPod and an inexpensive app called HanDBase.
This program allowed me to create my own template. I
include topics such as weight, temperature, medications,
breeding, nails and notes.
“Attention to detail is a major part of alpaca care,”
Biederman explains. “Know what your alpacas look like
day in and day out. Have a mental picture of your herd.
Were I to teach a course, I would be handing out two
almost identical pictures and asking participants to the
find six differences. If anything does not look like the
picture in your mind, catch up that alpaca and check it
out. Be sure to take temperature and weight. Observe if
the animal is peeing and pooping and eating. Make written or digital notes for reference.”
Outside environmental factors are important to keep
track of, as well. “Do you live in a zone where fire is often a danger? Be sure you have the facilities and halters
to get all of your animals out,” she counsels.
Use the tools available to you. “If you are uncomfortable with an alpaca situation or symptoms, put it out
on ‘Paca This,’ and see what the community says. “For a
really difficult problem, have your vet call one of the top
vets in the country. They do make the time to help.”
Also, get in there like she did and “Put your hands
on as many animals as possible. Attend shows. Volunteer
to work in the fleece judging room. A world of knowledge is available watching the judges assess fleeces.
Learn about fleece characteristics. Learn how raising
good fleece through both genetics and nutrition can
create great yarn, and create various products so that
the alpacas become self-supporting. This is especially
important with sky-high hay prices.”
Livestock guardian dogs are also “very important,”
she emphasizes, so research which breed may serve you
best. “Remember, a pair of livestock guardian dogs is
better because they work together; one sleeps while the
other guards because you don’t want one dog working
24-7.”
What are alpacas really like? If you were to do a
comparison, she says, “Alpacas are more like cats than
dogs; don’t over-handle young alpacas. Handling for animal husbandry is not a problem, but treating them like a
huggable pet dog will lead to dominance issues when the
alpacas reach puberty. You don’t want an alpaca thinking
you are an alpaca and testing who is more dominant.”
Alpacas are, to Frana, the “secret of my happiness.
Every morning first thing, I look out to see what my alpacas are doing. I discovered I love the animal husbandry
part; breeding and maintaining a healthy herd.”
Taos is an ideal place to raise alpacas, because it
is “very much like the altiplano at 7,000 feet and many
people raise hay here, though it is certainly not cheap.”
“Being a veteran of Chicago winters, the Taos climate
is relatively mild. We don’t get a lot of rain, which makes
feeding twice a day relatively easy. In Taos, a three-sided
shelter provides adequate protection in the winter. Be sure
to face the shelter opening the correct way.”
Alpacas are great for women, she says, because,
their “Size is just right; if an alpaca kicks it will hurt, but
probably won’t do serious damage because they have
soft pads [on their feet]. In general, I think women have
more patience than men. When you have patience, it is
easier to raise them. Sometimes it takes 5-10 seconds or
longer for an alpaca to respond. Force is generally counterproductive, especially when alpacas reach adulthood.”
She also mentions her personal ‘workout plan.’ “As a
woman, distributing about 120 lbs. of hay a day and shoveling poop keeps me in shape. I prefer this to the gym.”
The Phi Beta Paca herd’s annual yield produces
“about 20-30% cashmere fine,” Frana says, and the skeins
are “classed and graded at the mill. Each skein is from an
individual animal whose picture appears on my labels.”
“I should add that it took me four tries to get a mill
to do justice to my yarn. When my yarn came back from
Crooked Fence Mill owned and run by alpaca owner
Linda Kennison, the skeins looked like a pile of sparkling jewels. I had an ah-hah moment and understood
and believed in the product my alpacas produced.”
Don’t be surprised if you see Frana introducing yet
another future breeder to the joys of alpacas at an alpaca event, complete with the banners she hand-paints
for the purpose. She’s one of the best emissaries in the
community!
The Energetic Innovator
Paige Romine owns and operates Retiredice Guanacos and Alpacas in Somerset, California. “This is our Retirement Paradise,” she says, explaining the name. “We
combined the words and spelled it with a “c” instead of
the “s” because folks kept saying it wrong–now most
think we are retired gamblers or retired ice makers, but
we are just retired and enjoying life here at our paradise.”
Besides alpacas, Romine raises guanacos, the wild
camelid native to South America that has been shown to
be an ancestor of llamas. This unusual animal is rarely
seen outside South America so we asked her about its
appeal. “I love all Camelids,” she explains. “Vicuñas
[South America’s other wild camelid] are illegal to have
here, and my husband won’t let me have any camels because they’re too big, so I got away with talking him into
the guanacos. He could not say no after he saw them.
They are so wonderfully soft, so graceful, beautiful, and
very rare. Plus they are unique, intelligent, relaxing to
watch and have such beautiful faces with amazing eyes.
They are great guard animals, smaller then llamas, peaceful and such big pronkers.” Plus, she points out another
selling feature: “Fiber, fiber, fiber! So amazingly soft!”
We first met Paige at the International Alpaca Odyssey
Paige Romine feeding her alpacas hay at Retiredice Guanacos and Alpacas in Somerset, California.
where she was demonstrating her remarkable Super Glide
Picker. She has invented an easy-to-use fleece picker that
enables users to quickly remove vegetable matter from
fleece. Not only that, she makes and manufactures the
machines by hand, herself. “Because of what was available
on the market,” she was inspired to create the Super Glide
Picker. “I about died when I heard my fiber being ripped
apart on a picker I bought. I tossed it in the trash can and
I knew I had to come up with something that will work on
all fine fibers and wools, but something that is easier, safer,
cleaner and faster–something that will pick long fibers (1215 inches). Picking is the worst part of the process of playing with your fibers and wools. I knew what I wanted in a
picker, so I went for it and created the Super Glide Picker.”
Paige is a hard worker and seems never to stand
still. She is funny and engaging, too. One of the things
that impressed me at first was her assembly of a large,
complex vendor booth. After a long weekend of work,
she then disassembled the whole kit and caboodle and
stowed it neatly in her truck. Her husband of 36 years,
Dennis, points out that Paige “Does all this herself,
with no ranch help unless she is on the road at shows.
“The only crew I have,” she says, “is my knitters and
the California company that is now making the camis,
hoodies long johns and cargo pants. I just can’t knit fast
enough.”
Based on this level of gusto, the fact that Romine
has another venture entirely aside from her Super Glide
Picker and running the ranch didn’t surprise me. Romine
also manufactures My Yummy Alpaca Socks. You may
have seen them reviewed in Innovations in this magazine
last December where they were put to the test on a real
workday in Northern Idaho and called “very comfortable.” Her secret? They are “Made out of alpaca and
in my opinion, you can’t get any better than alpaca!”
They contain “no acrylics, no micro-fiber (fine acrylic)
or wools–just yummy alpaca. They hug your feet, are
breathable and oh so wonderful on your feet.” She explains, “I wear mine all year long. I am on my feet from
sunup to sundown and my feet are amazingly comfortable the entire time.”
Romine has expansion plans, as well. “I now have
a line of 100% alpaca products being made.” Garments
include “camisoles and hoodies” being produced for the
fall season. In addition, Romine and her team are working on manufacturing long johns and cargo pants.
Above left: Dale (left) and Jan of Derwydd Alpacas ham it up for the camera. Above right: Jan makes the rounds on a four wheeler at Derwydd
Alpacas in Esparto, California.
To make the sort of high quality clothes she insists on, Romine goes through a lot of fiber and is now
actively buying alpaca fleeces from other ranches. Even
with more than 80 alpacas and guanacos, she runs out of
fiber and is looking for more.
What makes alpacas and women great for each
other? “Alpacas are generally very easy to work with
and fairly low maintenance. They are a smaller breed to
handle and not as intimidating as some other livestock.
They’re so smart and easy to train–smarter then most
think. They don’t destroy the barns or eat your fences.
They are clean animals and great for therapy–just go sit
with them for five minutes and see how relaxed you become just being around them. They don’t talk back, and
are home every night on time. (Oh, sorry.) And you get to
play with all the wonderful fiber they have produced for
you. Alpacas are fiber animals–this is why I raise them,
besides being such peaceful, wonderful, calming, therapeutic animals. And those big amazing eyes Wow–how
can you not raise alpacas?”
Not much stops this dynamic lady, whether she is
breeding animals, inventing fiber tools or manufacturing
socks. Look for Paige Romine, Retiredice Alpacas and
Guanacos, Super Glide Picker and My Yummy Socks at
shows and online.
Like Mother Like Daughter
As a mother-daughter team, Jan and Dale Davis run
Derwydd Alpacas, which means “druid” in Welch. Jan
is Dale’s Mother. Her father is half-Welch and Dale’s
youngest sister has a Welch name, too. “I think Mum
likes Welch,” Dale jokes.
Working as a mother-daughter team definitely benefits their farm, Jan says. “Dale now runs the business
and the farm and I do what I am physically capable of
these days.”
“I used to just go to shows with Mum,” Dale says.
We lived a half an hour away while my husband Alan
was getting a PhD in Physics (Quantum Mechanics)
at UC Davis. Then, in 2001 Mum broke her leg, and I
cancelled my enrollment with UC San Jose – I was just
admitted to their librarian program. So I helped out until
she was back on her feet. Eventually, the peripheral neuropathy stuck Mum on a walker and she could no longer
physically handle the alpacas. I had already taken over
the marketing, sales and breeding decisions by then. So
the long rambling answer is, [running the business as a
team has] allowed a transition from Mum as the primary
rancher to me . . . so it’s like inheriting a business. I
learned the ropes and now run most of it and I moved to
the ranch two years ago to be here full time with Mum.
Jan and Dale answered questions for this article
has judiciously adopted those that made sense and had
much as they divide tasks at the farm. “Take into conhigh approval from the exhibitors.”
sideration that Mum is now 91 years old and living with
Dale explains why alpacas are a great animal for
peripheral neuropathy which restricts her ability to do
women to raise. “So for me, it’s a livestock I can physimost tasks that require standing,” Jan says of herself.
cally handle, they are fairly easy to care for – the babies
Sooo, Mum does the accounting on the computer (think
are adorable and there is no preexisting tradition about
Quicken)–some of the telephone work–feeding pellets
what gender generally raises them.” The reasons she
to the main barn females (visualize a five-gallon bucket
gives for why the industry is great for those involved are
with pellets balanced on a walker and pushed from pen to
that it gives people a chance to “care for and nurture a
pen on a tile floor).”
critter,” the “challenge of the science in improving them”
“I make most of the decisions these days, breeding,
and “the diverse people that own them and I get to meet
sales, marketing, physical care of the alpacas, birthing,
and add to my friends.”
etc.” Dale says. Mum does all the accounting, taxes, and
Vision for the Future
she feeds around 100 alpacas (they are shut out of the
Lynn Edens is running one of the most successbarn while she does) pellets every day. It is her exercise
ful alpaca operations in the United States today, Little
for the day and she gets a chance to visit with the alpacas
Creek Farm, based in North Salem, New York. She also
when they come in to eat pellets.”
actively purchases elite alpaca fiber from top breeders
The Derwydd Alpacas web site points out that “Jan
across the country.
prides herself in being honest, ethical, and willing to help
Like many people, Edens’ passion for alpaca fiber
her customers and other breeders succeed.” Jan takes the
was ignited with a transformative hands-on experiphilosophical approach. “Think what a wonderful world
ence. “My introduction to alpaca came via my spinning
it would be if everyone told the truth all the time.”
Dale adds, “Well, I think its important anywhere, not just the alpaca
world. This is so important, she says,
because, “In a young industry like
we have today, a lot of buyers simply
don’t have the training to be able to
select the alpaca that best fits their
goals, and the more honest breeders
are, the more the industry will grow
to benefit us all.”
Jan and Dale have organized
the International Alpaca Odyssey for
years and Jan was one of the originators. It is an especially important
show, Jan says because, “It allows
for new ideas to be tested in the real
world show environment–so we have
a test environment (think R&D) with
IAO where anyone can offer a suggestion and be listened to.”
“I served on the AOBA Show
Rules Committee for close to six
years,” Dale adds. They do a fantastic job. But the rules have become
complex over the years and change
is hard. The IAO show being a single
show, it’s so much easier to try out
new ideas without jerking the entire
industry around. AOBA (AOA now) Luxurious alpaca yarn by Our Back 40.
Susanne Bienenstock (left) and Lynn Edens (right) of Little Creek Farm Alpacas holding two of this years’ crias.
wheel–I loved the fiber,” Edens explains. “I run a horse
boarding farm and had an extra field that wasn’t being
used by the horses. Guess what I put there?”
The animals in her program at Little Creek Farm
are gaining attention and producing exceptional crias at
some of the top farms in the United States and abroad. In
May, Edens hosted the 19th annual Parade of Champions
Auction for the first time in New York State, continuing
the tradition of a friendly event built on a solid foundation of quality genetics.
Breeding goals for Little Creek Farm are definitive.
“Little Creek Farm/Accoyo America is focused on producing seed stock animals that are prepotent for the production of fine, uniform, commercially desirable white
fleeces in their offspring,” Edens says. “That is our focus
because white fleeces command the highest premium
in the commercial marketplace, all else constant, and
advancing the elite standard of white alpaca offers the
best opportunity for the long run financial success of our
industry. When our genetics allow it, we work to produce
those same prepotencies in seed stock that can produce
elite darker colors as well, often with great success. But
white is the real passion here.”
Edens also owns and operates Our Back 40, a premium American alpaca yarn company. The 100% alpaca
yarn skeins being created from American fiber at Our
Back 40 are giving cashmere a run for its money.
Edens explains, “The primary goal of Our Back 40
is to introduce consumers to really fine, cashmere-quality
American alpaca fiber that is milled at a similar quality
level. Its ancillary benefits include helping to aggregate large quantities of fiber and providing other textile
market participants with a way into the sector if they are
interested.”
Part of the appeal of the yarn comes from the fact
that it is produced entirely in the United States through
fair trade relationships with small farms. “I think for
some consumers, the ability to find premium quality,
super fine alpaca products or fiber from local or regional
sources is of great appeal and provides us with a competitive advantage over foreign cashmere products. Our
price point is better also, and if we get our act together as
an industry our quality control could be better, too. “
Running a farm and yarn business takes determination and persistence along with a clear view of the road
ahead. Edens’ longtime friend Susanne Bienenstock is
a big part of the equation. The two met and first worked
together in the horse industry and have been fast friends
ever since.
“That shared history,” Edens says, “made a transition to working together with alpacas very straightforward. Susanne is essential to Little Creek’s business–I
couldn’t do without her high degree of competence or
her ready sense of humor. She has an incredibly astute
eye for conformation and is quicker than most to spot the
small change in behavior that can signal illness in a stoic
animal. Every day spent with her is a fun one, so long as
I remember not to mess with her whiteboard at an alpaca
show!” For anyone who works with them regularly, it is
very clear that Edens and Bienenstock excel–and enjoy
themselves while they’re at it.
While Edens doesn’t think women are any better at
raising alpacas than men, “I do think the smaller size and
generally tractable nature of alpacas make them a good
fit for women farmers who need to manage much of the
farming business on their own.”
The women featured here are just a few of the individuals across the globe raising alpacas. Alpacas enrich
their lives and allow them to make a living doing something they love. With husbandry, through technology and
the newest creative ideas, they are carving out a niche
in farming. Products from their hands become some of
the most luxurious garments and home goods available.
Look for more dynamic women in the pages of this issue
and in your neighborhood—you’ll be amazed at what
we’re accomplishing!
Resources:
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Report “Characteristics of Women Farm Operators and Their Farms”:
http://goo.gl/hV6DKX
• Annie’s Project, a resource at the Iowa State University for women interested in farming: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/
• Farmer Jane, Temra Costa’s book of profiles of
women farmers: www.FarmerJane.org.
• Martha Stewart Living segment, “Inside an Alpaca
Farm,” featuring Leda Blumberg and Faraway Farm
watch it: http://www.marthastewart.com/254399/insidealpaca-farm
Get in touch with the women in this article:
• Leda Blumberg, Faraway Farm:
www.farawayfarmalpacas.com
• Cindy Harris, Alpacas at Windy Hill:
www.alpacalink.com
• Beth Osborne, Alpaca Hacienda:
www.thealpacahacienda.com/home.html
• Nancy Barkoviak and JC Williamson, BlueGenes
Alpacas: www.bluegenes-alpacas.com
• Pamela Brewster and Sylvie Remingol, Stillmeadow
Farm: www.stillmeadowalpacasfarm.com
• Frana Biederman, Phi Beta Paca Alpacas:
phibetapaca.openherd.com
• Paige Romine, Retired Ice Guanacos and Alpacas
www.superglidepicker.com
• Jan and Dale Davis, Derwydd Alpacas:
www.derwyddalpacas.com
• Lynn Edens and Susanne Bienenstock, Little Creek
Alpacas: www.lcfalpacas.com and
www.ourback40.com.
SOURCES:
• “Managing Beef Cattle for Show.” Texas Cooperative Extension. Texas A&M University, n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. <http://
animalscience.tamu.edu/files/2012/04/beef-managing-beef-cattle.
pdf>.
• “Alpacas at Windy Hill Somis CA Ventura County Suri Alpacas.”
Alpacas at Windy Hill, n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. <http://www.alpacalink.com/innerrancher.html
• Demetriou, Danielle “Yamagata Girls Farm.” Modern Farmer
Spring 2014: 80. Print.
• Kongs, Jennifer. “Number of Female Farmers Triples.” Mother
Earth News Apr.-May 2014: 15. Print.
• Kaiser, Ann. “Ann and the Alpacas.” Country Woman Magazine
RSS. Country Woman Magazine, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://
www.countrywomanmagazine.com/>.
• “Q&A with Leda Blumberg: Co-Owner of Faraway Farm in
Yorktown Heights.” Westchester Magazine Print Edition. Version
Vol. 36 No. 3. Today Media, 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 20 May 2014.
<http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/
March-2012/Q-A-with-Leda-Blumberg-Co-Owner-of-FarawayFarm-in-Yorktown-Heights/>.
• “Diary of a Passionate Alpaca Farmer.” Faraway Farm Alpacas.
Faraway Farm Alpacas, n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. <http://www.
farawayfarmalpacas.com/Pet%20Gazette%20article.pdf>.
• Kelly, John. “Feel like Getting Fleeced? Perhaps Alpaca Ranching
May Be of Interest.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 2
Apr. 2014. Web. 20 June 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/
local/feel-like-getting-fleeced-perhaps-alpaca-ranching-may-beof-interest/2014/04/02/50b7dae8-b9d1-11e3-a397-6debf9e66e65_
story.html>.
• Personal interviews: Leda Blumberg, Cindy Harris, Beth Osborne,
Nancy Barkoviak, JC Williamson, Pamela Brewster, Sylvie
Remingol, Frana Biederman, Paige Romine, Jan and Dale Davis,
Lynn Edens.

The World of Women and Alpacas

Transcription

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