Alpacas weren't in the plans when we moved here. Then, two months later, the county assessor showed up and told us we were going to be reassessed as "residential" from "agricultural", though we hadn't changed anything and were surrounded by large and small farms. We made the move to a rural area for the freedom that allows. We weren't sure what animals might come into our lives, but we certainly didn't want the restrictions a residential assessment might impose. Long story short, the assessor said, "You're not a farm." So, we got some alpacas and told him, "Am TOO a farm!" and M2A Farm became a reality. Our lives have never been the same and we haven't regretted a moment.
Actually, it didn't happen quite so simply. We researched the industry extensively and visited many farms before purchasing our first alpacas. We advise anyone who is seriously considering entering into an alpaca venture, to thoroughly research it, just as they should any industry.
We have many years of animal experience behind us. Kat spent a decade as a keeper at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, after volunteering at Lincoln Park Zoo during college, and another 16 years shoeing horses as the first woman to have a blacksmith shop on a major harness horse racetrack (Hawthorne, Maywood, Sportsman's, and Balmoral Parks) in the Western Hemisphere. Ron trained horses for 20 years. Both agree, caring for alpacas and llamas is much easier than any other large animal with which they've worked and consider them the perfect "baby boomers' livestock", as well as a great opportunity for families with children. In fact, many alpaca owners with little livestock experience prior to entering the industry have done very well by taking advantage of the education and support offered by many farms and alpaca organizations.
Our goal is to breed for genetically sound, phenotypically correct and ever-improved alpacas whose fiber has all the characteristics necessary to qualify it as the premier natural fiber it can be...and to do so humanely, honestly and ethically.
All our camelids registered, microchipped, and have tested free of BVDV. Biosecurity and the health and well-being of all our animals are a priority.
