Often stereotyped as a rugged pack animal from the Andes Mountains, alpacas surprisingly can be found across the rolling hills of Vermont. There are more than a dozen alpaca farms in the southern part of the state, and most of them welcome visitors to stop by, meet the animals and feel that much sought-after alpaca wool.
Most alpaca farms around the area are fairly small ventures, with anywhere from several animals to a few dozen, and they're great places to watch the herd animal in action.
At a recent outing to Sweet Maple Alpacas, in Westminster, Vt., owned by Tom and Brenda Lawrence, the alpacas showed their curiosity by sniffing, rubbing and humming (a comfort noise, letting the other alpacas know they are present and content). Brenda said the alpacas can be a little intimidating to people at first, but the animals' gentle nature soon shows through.
"Kids usually call them llamas, and some kids are scared to death of them," Brenda said. "They look like big animals, but they're really not. The Alpacas seem to know who is scared and they're more gentle with them."
Brenda said the animals and children usually get used to each other after a few minutes and have a great time together. School groups come through their farm regularly and the alpacas do very well with all the action and energy. The children also enjoy the alpaca fur crafts for them to do at the farm.
Once socialized, alpacas usually allow their backs and necks to be touched
"They're very curious animals and understand different moods," Brenda said. "Each has a unique personality."
The alpacas were still wearing their thick, soft wool as the sun reached high in the sky, during the visit to Sweet Maple at the beginning of May. Each alpaca has a different color coat, and some of them had multiple colors. There are 16 classified alpaca wool colors in the U.S. (52 in Peru, the alpaca homeland). Despite the color differences, alpaca wool of very, very soft.
Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, much as sheep's wool is. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world.
Brenda said Sweet Maple's alpaca team was sheared on May 21 this year, a typical time for this to happen. The alpacas are sheared in May because that's when the weather gets hot, and all that thick hair makes it even hotter. On a really warm day, Brenda said the alpacas love to see the hose come out.
Despite the heat here in the summer, alpacas are happy to be in Vermont because the weather is somewhat similar to their native land.
"The alpacas will adapt to their surroundings, but New England is more like home to them," Brenda said. "They love the mountains and the cooler temperatures. A lot of people in southern Vermont also like the fact that you don't raise the alpacas for food. They have other purposes."
Sweet Maple Alpacas is also expecting 10 baby alpacas this summer, and are hoping some visitors will be able to witness the miracle.
"We have 10 babies due, so visitors might be in on a delivery," Brenda said. "You never know."
There are several Alpaca farms and breeders in southern Vermont. Some allow visitors to show up unannounced, while others request visitors to call ahead to schedule a time to visit. If you plan to visit some Alpacas while in southern Vermont, get in touch with the farm before stopping by. Many local farms are listed below, thanks to the Alpaca Breeders of Vermont (www.alpacabreedersofvermont.com).
Alpaca Farms in SouthernVermont
Cas-Cad-Nac Farm, LLC
Ian & Jennifer Lutz
551 Wheeler Camp Rd
Perkinsville, VT 05151
802-263-5740
www.AlpacaExcellence.com
Dream Catcher Alpaca Farm
Deanna Herber & Gayle Hoessler
6826 Monument Hill Road
Hubbardton, VT 05735
802-273-2301
dcalpaca@comcast.net
Maple View Farm Alpacas
Ed & Debbie Bratton
185 Adams Rd
Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-5412
www.mapleviewfarmalpacas.com
MARLEE Farm Alpacas
Barry Meinerth
PO Box 55
330 Rupert Mountain Road
Pawlet, VT 05761
802-325-2668
www.marleefarmalpacas.com
Mountain Pond Farm
Peter & Tia Rosengarten
PO Box 37
74 Obed Moore Rd
Weston, VT 05161
802-824-8190
www.vermontel.net/~crr/
Mystic Meadow Alpacas
Marlene Souligny & Michael Olson
210 Olson Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-4421
www.mysticmeadowalpacas.com
Parris Hill Farm
Linda & Bill Ley
PO Box 313
637 Brownsville Hartland Road
Brownsville, VT 05037
802-484-3200
www.parrishillfarm.com
Janet Pressler
330 Rupert Mountain Road
Pawlet, VT 05761
802-325-2679
jpressler@vermontel.com
Summerhill Alpacas Ltd
Howard & Linda Dix
367 Abbie Morse Rd
Jacksonville, VT 05342
802-368-7016
www.summerhillalpacas.com
Sweet Maple Alpacas
Tom & Brenda Lawrence
PO Box 142
Westminster, VT 05158
802-722-9846
www.sweetmaplealpacas.com
Wildwood Acres Alpacas
Vikki Butynski
8 Wildwood Acres
Newfane, VT 05345
802-365-7053
bellawolf@hotmail.com
Wright Choice Alpacas
Deb Wright
161 Howland Rd
Castleton, VT 05735
802-273-2713
www.shoreham.net/~wcalpaca
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