| |
|
|
| |
AlpacaNation Q&A with Little Blessings Alpacas
La Veta Roberts
~
79809 Stewart Creek Rd., Clatskanie, OR 97016
~
503-701-1167
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Little Blessings Alpacas: We first discovered alpacas in June of 2000. I fell in love with them but never imagined we could ever afford to buy any. God was so gracious to open up the doors to allow us to get our first 2 alpacas and after that there was no stopping us. We now own 36 alpacas and growing.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Little Blessings Alpacas: We were so in awe of how God brought us to Corbett and how he gave us these wonderful animals. The name of our farm needed to reflect God's blessings in our lives. We wanted to always remember and never loose sight of all that God has been doing for us. We know that all we have or will ever have comes from the hand of God and belongs to Him. The name of our farm and our motto is a reminder to us and a testimony to the world around us. So that is how we came of with the name "Little Blessings" and the motto "From His Hands to ours!"
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Little Blessings Alpacas: I went to the Black Sheep Gathering and the Emerald Valley Alpaca Association was having their 5th Annual Alpaca Exhibition. It was the first time I had ever seen alpacas. I was in love but never imagined that I would ever be able to own one of these beautiful creatures. They were so soft and sweet and had the most beautiful eyes.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Little Blessings Alpacas: I would say that part of what sets us apart is that this business is not ours but God's. God is so great at taking care of what belongs to him but I think that as far as how we do business and raise our animals it is the personal touch that we offer to both the animals and those who we do business with. First off we handle our alpacas a lot. The majority of our alpacas are willing to come over and give you a kiss. Our first animals were not as handleable but we decided that was okay, we would concentrate on the animals born on our property. They are use to being handled and worked with. Secondly, we make ourselves very available to others who have questions or need some mentoring and guidance. We are eager for everyone to succeed in this industry. I figure that the more success people have then the more people will want to own and raise these wonderful animals. For those that we work with we figure their success is our success.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Little Blessings Alpacas: Well, to be honest we really didn't do anything in the beginning. We were pretty ignorant for the most part. I say that we have been in the business for 7 years but the first 2 do not count. I say that jokingly but also very seriously. We learned a lot of things that hard way. I believe that God blesses the ignorant.
Once we realized how much we had to learn we started taking classes, dividing off our pastures and setting up our shelters. We installed auto waterers and purchased the alpaca panels to set up smaller spaces to make it easier for us to work with the animals.
More recently I have taken classes in neonatal emergencies, herd management and genetics. I feel that there is still a lot that I need to learn but I feel so much more competent and capable than I did in the beginning.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Little Blessings Alpacas: Find a farm to partner up with. That has been one of the things that have helped us the most. One of the ways to do that is to find someone who is selling shares in a herdsire or a farm with a great support system for new buyers. We did not have that until recently and it has helped so much. Also, finding another farm who is close or that you have common goals with. Then you can build on each others strengths. I realize that there are some very competitive people out there but I believe that there are plenty of opportunities for all of us and the more we help each other the more that comes back to us as well.
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Little Blessings Alpacas: Our first purchase was great. After going to the EVAA Alpaca Exhibition I went home and started emailing farms. I home schooled my kids at the time and was just looking for someone who had an alpaca that just needed a home. I never figured that I could afford one so I was hoping to have someone just want to off load one. Well Susan Debates of April Acres Alpacas invited the kids and I for lunch and she had someone teach us how to spin using a spindle. Now she offered to sell me an alpaca for a very reasonable price when it was time to look at the animals she was offering it was then that I found out that I had to have at least 2. But she offered to let me make payments. I took home 2 boys that day. Now, it was by God's grace that I had them. One was a Hemingway grandson. Maverick is the other guy. He is nice but when I picked them I had no idea what to look for. That is what I would have done differently; I would have researched what to look for when picking out an alpaca.
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Little Blessings Alpacas: God brought us to Corbett in 1999. We are excited with this new life that God has given us. Since moving here I have learned about animal husbandry, how to spin fiber, knit on a knitting machine, make soap, do digital photography. My husband works by day and helps tend the animals in the evening and on the weekends. He is our web designer. Our oldest is grown and I have my 1st grandchild. Our 2 remaining children are Amanda who is 17 she is studying to be a nurse and she is already putting her training to use. She helps with deliveries and gives shots when I can't. Our son Kordell is a great help in field management and he and his dad do the majority of the feedings.
In 2005 we have offered several new services. We offered these services on a limited basis in 2004 and were successful with them and saw there was a need, so we decided that this could be our nich in this business.
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Little Blessings Alpacas: I look at our alpaca business as a long term investment. It is true that there is not a lot of money in the fiber yet... but I believe that is changing. I sell my handspun yarn for $90 a lb and our processed yarn for $64 a lb. So far I am doing fairly well at selling most of my harvest each year. The real money seems to be in breeding and support services. The Lord has blessed us with a really great boy in 2003; he should start breeding fall of 2005. Girls are always good to have so I pray for girls 1st but good studly guys second. If you go into alpacas you either have to have a lot of money or a lot of patience and faith. We came in with a lot of faith and have developed the patience. It has taken us several years but we now feel like we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I think that this is a hard concept for some people because our society is built on immediate gratification, but in the old days I think that this is how businesses grew to be successful.
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
