About Us
I have always had a love for animals. I grew up on a small farm and always loved being out in the barn and working with the animals. I was always bringing home animals that needed care and attention. I thought I might one day become a veterinarian. I somehow transferred my care for animals to care for humans. After 20 years in the healthcare field as a Registered Nurse, I was suffering from burnout. I felt like I had given all I had to give. I told my husband that I had to find something else to do or at least something that I could look forward to part time with the goal being that I would finally be able to retire as a nurse.
A year and a half ago, my husband, Randall, handed me the Portland Press Herald and said, “Maybe this is what you should be doing.” The picture in the paper was of an alpaca being shown at the New England Coastal Classic. I fell in love right there and then. I started reading everything I could get my hands on and visited as many farms as I possibly could. My first farm visit was to Village Farm Alpacas. They were holding their open farm day and giving tours. I couldn’t get enough of looking and hearing about alpacas. I came home and told my husband, “This is it.” I felt such calmness and peace when I was around the animals. I knew that this was just what I needed.
I got my family involved and soon we were working toward a new farm and buying alpacas. We put our house on the market and started looking for land to build a farm on. We also started looking for alpacas to buy. We visited a lot of farms and decided to work with Village Farm Alpacas. They were able to help us find what we were looking for. We love the natural colors and variety that the alpacas come in and the softness of their fleece.
After many ups and downs, we bought four foundation females, a junior herd sire and a gelding. The house was under contract to sell and the people backed out, that was a big disappointment since my animals were scattered about New England. We wanted to have the animals home with us. My husband is a builder and he quickly added onto our shed and my sons, Alex and Nicholas helped get things ready to bring the animals home. On November 20, 2006, we brought the girls home and in June we added the boys. We have had three beautiful female crias born this season. We feel very blessed to have had such a successful season.
We named our farm after our two sons, Nicholas and Alex. They are just the greatest kids and we wanted to include them in our farm endeavor. Nicholas has just begun his first year of college at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. We miss him a great deal. He is studying to obtain his degree in Professional Golf Management. Our youngest, Alex, just began high school. He has a love of cars and races go-karts on Sundays from April to October. He also likes to help care for the alpacas.
The alpacas have brought so much to us in such a short period of time, we are looking forward to years of raising them. Our family has also gotten involved with caring for the animals. My sons have helped with herd care and feeding and my husband helps with the farm maintenance.
Our goal is to grow the herd over the first few years and then begin selling animals. We plan on remaining a small farm of 20-30 animals. We are invested in having a successful breeding operation as well as being involved in the development of the North American fiber industry. I knit and I am experimenting with spinning and weaving. My dream is to one day wake up each and everyday and only have to walk out the door to my job, raising alpacas. I really feel like we are living the lifestyle we were meant to and for me, it feels like coming home.
