Alpacazona Farms hosts third annual Farm Day

About six years ago, Claudia Klaus read an online article about creating Chiengora, yarn spun from the hair of dogs. The article sparked an interest in fiber arts that would open a whole new world to her and husband, Brian: Alpaca farming.

Within a few months, they had purchased their first animal and Alpacazona Farms was born.

Alpacazona Farms opened its doors to the public on Saturday for its Third Annual Open House. The farm offered visitors a chance to feed the animals, a demonstration on the process of making yarn from alpaca fleece, and the opportunity to purchase goods made from the fur of the animals on site.

“But this is mostly so that we can help educate people about Alpacas.” Claudia said. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what they are. We even get people that ask what we do with their feathers.”

Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years and are closely related to llamas, both of which are part of the camelid species. Of all the species, alpacas are considered the most valuable due to the quantity and quality of its fleece. Although similar to a sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece is warmer, softer, and contains no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic, a point stressed by Claudia.

Included in the herd is Jacko, a male that celebrated his first birthday on Halloween. Strikingly un-alpaca-like, he is very comfortable around people, even willing to be pet by handlers. Claudia is looking into the possibility of having him certified as a therapy animal and to take him to different venues to help educate others about the breed.

“Our ultimate goal is to make this a self-sustaining business,” Claudia said. “To do that, we’re going to have to raise awareness and demand of the fleece these animals bear.”

With products such as hats, scarves, gloves and even socks available for visitors to buy, Alpacazona Farms looks to a bright future spurned on by their love of the animals they keep.Photo courtesy of Alpacazona Farms