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Snowshoe Farm, LLC Quality Huacaya Alpacas
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About Our Farm
How We Began...
As we investigated further, we realized that although alpacas would be a much more expensive investment than sheep, they would be just that - an investment. The idea of becoming involved in what is still a fledgling industry in this country was very appealing. We saw that the alpaca industry has a strong national breeders organization that is committed to promoting alpacas and alpaca fiber products. We believed - and we still believe - that the alpaca business in the USA is an exciting industry with a brilliant future. We envisioned a business that Terry could run full-time; a business that would supplement our retirement income and, perhaps, allow Ron to retire early. We have lived in northern New England most of our lives and have been avid outdoors people, actively hiking, skiing, gardening, etc. A farm-type business held a great deal of appeal for us. Also, we have both always been interested in handcrafts. Terry has been a sewer, quilter and weaver and was beginning to spin and knit when we learned about alpacas. The timing was perfect - we had the time, the space and the funds to begin this new and exciting phase of our life. In 2001, we decided to relocate and purchased an old farmhouse with an abundance of open pasture for our alpacas in the lovely northern Vermont town of Peacham. This property - a former horse riding school - has turned out to be an ideal place to make our home and build our herd.
Our Business Philosophy...
Snowshoe Farm is a small alpaca farm. We take a "hands-on" approach to our business and both of us now work on the farm full time. Our first priority here at Snowshoe Farm is the health and welfare of our alpacas and the progress of our breeding program. We feel that vigorous, healthy alpacas with correct conformation provide the foundation for an excellent breeding program. Equally important is selection and breeding for fiber qualities that define the "elite" alpaca. Fineness, consistency, crimp, lock structure, color, brightness and density all are important fiber characteristics that we are continually striving to improve.
Since alpacas are fiber animals, we have an on-farm store which offers a selection of roving, yarn and finished alpaca fiber products handcrafted here on our farm. We occasionally supplement our inventory with other alpaca fiber products with an emphasis on those made in New England.
When potential customers come to our farm seeking information about breeding alpacas, we try to understand their needs and their goals. We emphasize that this is a business and must be approached like any other business - with solid and realistic planning. We believe our success as alpaca breeders is measured by the success of our customers. We consider our customers to be our partners in building a secure future for the alpaca breeding and fiber industry in North America.
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We began our journey into the world of
alpacas in 1997 when we built a home overlooking a lush five-acre pasture on a
Vermont hillside. We realized from the start that we would have to keep
that pasture mowed or it would soon grow to look like the surrounding woodland.
We thought about sheep, tractors, etc... until we saw an advertisement for
alpacas. One look at those adorable faces and we were hooked!
We believe that the diversified and
sustainable family farm is the backbone of life in a rural area such as ours.
Ideally, our thirty acres will provide pasture, hay and room enough for
vegetable and flower gardens, fruit trees and berry bushes. Alpacas are a
perfect fit for this type of farm. They are small and easy to handle, eat
less than most livestock and have padded feet that are gentle on the land.