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AlpacaNation Q&A with Winsome Alpacas (OH)
Roger & Kay Jenney
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6578 St. Rt. 13, Greenwich, OH 44837
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419-895-1966
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Winsome Alpacas (OH): Since 1997. We saw our first alpacas at the county fair. For the next two years we visited alpaca breeders and read all we could about these animals. We received an invitation to visit a farm in Iowa for an informational weekend. We thought "wow a road trip" and made arrangements to be part of the weekend activities. We learned so much that weekend and had "up close and personal" time with the alpacas. Before we left for home, we called the breeder and offered to purchase three of their alpacas.
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Winsome Alpacas (OH): We are a part of the "baby boomer" generation. We've always wanted to find a business we could do as a family. When we heard about the alpaca business, we knew this was for us. Our two children have enjoyed showing the alpacas in 4-H,in parades, local events and the AOBA shows. One of the BIG benefits of owning alpacas is getting to meet some great people in the business and those who stop by the farm and have an interest in owning alpacas. Since we are still considered a "small" farm, we both work full-time jobs. We are looking forward to the day when we can retire from our jobs and expand and work full-time in our alpaca business.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Winsome Alpacas (OH): Coming up with a farm name seemed quite a difficult task at first. We wanted something that was meaningful, but unique. Roger remembered the word "winsome" as meaning joyful. He looked it up in the dictionary and found the meaning as winning, engaging, charming, joy. This word is a great discription of alpacas, so it was decided...Winsome Alpacas would be our name.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Winsome Alpacas (OH): In preparing to raise alpacas we visited farms and attended clinics. We looked into the business for about two years before purchasing our first alpacas. We joined AOBA and began receiving the Alpaca Magazine which was full of helpful information. We found lots of information on the internet also (wish AlpacaNation had been around then). We read all that we could get our hands on to learn as much as we could about these wonderful animals.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Winsome Alpacas (OH): The advise we give is to learn as much about alpacas as you can before purchasing. We want a new owner to know all that is expected in caring for alpacas. Visit farms to get an idea of various ways to set up your farm. Find a breeder you feel comfortable with, one that you feel you can call when you need help at short notice. We were fortunate to have a breeder nearby that helped us A LOT the first couple of years. When that first cria comes along...it is so exciting and so new...we were not sure we were doing everything just right. We called our alpaca friends that live nearby and they were there within 15 minutes to check out the new cria and mom. They rejoiced with us at the birth of our first cria. We felt like brand new parents! A feeling we get with each and every new cria that's born.
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