National Alpaca Farm Days

Have you ever wondered what an alpaca is or what they are raised for?  Well now is the perfect time to find the answer to that question.  Fossum Family Farm Alpacas is participating in National Alpaca Farm Days and Alpacas of MN Farm Tour September 27 – September 28, 2008.  Alpaca farms in Minnesota and across the nation will be opening their doors to the public from 10:00 – 5:00 to come meet their alpacas and learn more about these unique animals.

What is an alpaca? Alpacas are part of the camelid family; cousins to the camels, llamas, guanacos, and vicunas.  They are native to South America and were first imported to the United States in 1984.  Alpacas are raised for their fleece, which is considered one of the world’s finest and most luxurious natural fibers. Fiber comes in approximately 22 natural shades of the 5 basic solid colors white, fawn, grey, brown and black. Alpacas are very gentle, intelligent animals.  They have soft padded feet, are clean and gentle on the land.  Adult alpacas are about 36” tall at the withers – shoulders – and weigh between 100 – 200 pounds. An alpaca’s gestation period is 11 ½ months so you have to be very patient while waiting for the crias – baby alpacas – to be born, but they are well worth the wait. 
 
About us: Fossum Family Farm Alpacas has been raising alpacas on their farm in Northfield for 3 years.  We raise both kinds of alpacas; suri and huacaya.  Suri alpacas are very rare and have fiber that falls in long, fine pencil locks when in full fleece.  “There is nothing more gorgeous than watching a suri alpaca’s fiber blow in the breeze while they are out in the pasture eating or running.”  Huacaya alpacas are the more common type and have a dense, crimpy fiber that resembles a teddy bear when in full fleece.  “You just want to give them a big hug!”  When I first saw an alpaca, I fell in love with their big, beautiful eyes and their curious, gentle nature. After visiting several farms in the area we purchased our first two and have now grown to a herd size of 19 with a couple more crias due yet this fall.  Fossum Family Farm Alpacas is active in all aspects of raising alpacas including; sale of animals, both breeding and fiber or pet quality; sale of fiber, yarn and products made from alpacas; boarding; breeding; fiber classes and farm tours to help educate people about alpacas.  “We truly love this business and enjoy sharing our experiences with others so stop out and visit.”

To find out more information about Fossum Family Farm Alpacas, visit us at  www.fossumfamilyfarm.com.  For more information regarding the farms participating in the tours and all the free activities available, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com or www.explorealpacas.com. There are many wonderful farms in the area to visit including Ahjoomas Alpaca Farm and B.B.F Alpacas, both in Cannon Falls, so make a day of it by visiting several local breeders and learn the answer to “what is an alpaca?”