One thing that I noticed about me is that when it comes to sitting down and typing an opening for this site, I come up blank, but sit me down and let me talk about my plans is another story. But here it goes anyways. I heard about starting an Alpaca Ranch about two years ago, actually I was looking into Llamas. Then I found out that Llamas definetly have an attitude problem.
Alpacas on the other hand are clean, intelligent, quiet, peaceful animals. For a minimun of space, these beautiful creatures can sustain on very little acreage.
So enter my mentor in Thunder Bay, we went to visit her farm and interacted with her wonderful Alpacas and it was love at first sight for Ralph and myself.
We made our plans and ordered in some animals from an Alpaca Ranch in Alberta..great Ranch with great owners. We got to pick out our beauties on line, and within a few months they were at our door. Papers...and everything...it was one of the most exciting days of my life.
Because we had decided on being a fibre farm all we needed was some great colors and some healthy strong males. Our choices were grey, cream, light brown, chocolate brown, medium brown and other creamy white....these were our first boys and to date we have added eleven more to our herd.
They come with their own personalities and temperment...and we know them all...
In just a couple of years we have shorned, milled and produced products from our herd. And with the help of our own Nipigon ladies ...NATURALLY NORTHERN...WE HAVE COME UP WITH A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF KNITWEAR....definitely Northern and definetly unique. Samples of which can be viewed on this web site. We are still in the very early stages of our business and are learning as we go...some great ideas and some "well not so great ideas". Our little alpaca Shoppe' is up and running, and open for business! Being a ma and pa business, things get done at a ma and pa kinda speed...hopefully we can get our property up to a Tourist standard but we encourage anyone coming through to drop by and visit "the boys", they love to have company. They are very friendly and the will come to the fence to greet you...especially little ones..they love kids and some of our boys will even give a kiss, to anyone who wants to put their lips through the fence. We are just asking for a small donation to help offset the rising cost of feed and maintance of our "boys".
Nipigon has already embraced this little family of Alpacas and have already enjoyed repeat visits with "the Boys"...Long term patients from the Nipigon Memorial Hospital make this one of their favourite stop overs on their "occasional" outings...and love to come back for MORE afternoons with the Alpacas.
In fact ....instead of the usual greetings of " Hi "and " How are You"? We now get .... how are "the boys doing"........?
So if you are ever up this way...please drop by for a visit..we are right behind the Nipigon Tourist Centre...on Maata's road...you won't be disappointed that you did. Watch for our signs...just like the logo on this web site.
Beth and Ralph
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