Alpacas gather near Sisters

Local ranchers took advantage of National Alpaca Farm Day held late last month to get together to share knowledge and meet those who have interest in raising the remarkable South American members of the camel family. Most of the alpaca ranchers are looking toward a modest retirement income and some fun.

Barbara Pieper of Panorama Ranch organized the event and invited several other small alpaca ranchers who pepper the area to join in the display of alpacas and products derived from their fleece.

"We did this to meet some of these other ranchers, and it makes it much easier on the visitors, as they can see the crafts and animals from the various ranches without having to get into a car and travel from place to place," she said.

Most of the alpaca ranchers who participated in the event have been in the area for a few years; however, one rancher is new.

"We just moved here about a month ago, so we are real new to the area. Our neighbors introduced us to the Piepers, and when we met them they asked if we would like to join in. This is a big day nationally for alpaca farmers, so being able to join in was just huge for us," said Julie Martin, owner of Alpacas of Idyllwild.

Each rancher has his or her own passion.

"We have Suri alpacas, but some people raise the Huacaya, which has a different kind of coat. My husband was a diplomat, and when we retired and came home from Tokyo seven years ago we decided to do something fun, and this became our project," said Susan Inman, who with her husband owns Flights of Fancy Farms.

As the ranchers become more experienced with the animals, they often take the opportunity to rebuild their herds to upgrade the quality.

"We have been involved with the alpacas since 1998. I like to do rug hooking with the alpaca wool, as it seems to be a good purpose for me as I am not too much into spinning or knitting," said Jean Robson of River Spring Alpaca Farm. "Although after watching the spinning over there, I have to say that it looks pretty fun. We used to have about 25 animals, but I sold off my older animals and am down to seven. I am trying to rebuild my herd with better herd sires. I am just in the midst of revamping."

For some, the alpacas provide an excuse to follow another hobby.

"I like to spin and make my own yarn," said Victoria Vale of Alpaca Bliss Ranch. "Unfortunately, I am not a terrific knitter, so I just make yarn and a few things for myself, but mostly I like to make the yarn and hang it on the wall and look at it until someone comes along and buys it. I really like the yarn and the way it looks. I started spinning when I was 17 but didn't get my own wheel until after we got the alpacas."

Nancylee Evans of Red Oak Farms Alpacas took up ranching as part of retirement - and she wanted something that was both economically viable and pleasant to do.

"We have a small farm and started a couple of years ago to be a part of our retirement. We only have 16 alpacas now, five geldings and two studs. I am making my fleeces into yarn, and then we sell it from there. I don't do it myself. There is a mill in Canby that does it for us. We got interested in this when we started doing some market research and found that the market has been very stable for at least the last 20 years. The other thing that was important to us was that the animals are very relaxing to be around. I like warm and fuzzy things, so what could be better?"