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AlpacaNation Q&A with Disappearing Creek Ranch
Juanita Kirschnick & Stephanie Schlegel
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4315 424th St., Eatonville, WA 98328
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206-248-0915
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: Our family started our business this year, but we have been researching alpacas for quite awhile before we decided to take the plunge. We visited numerous farms, met several great people and have had alot of exciting and wonderful experiences. It's now our way of life!
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Disappearing Creek Ranch: My husband Ernie and myself Juanita were looking for something new and different as we were moving closer towards retirement. My sister Stephanie and brother in-law Dean were looking for something to support their family on the 40 acres they already live on. Between our two families, we discovered the alpaca through a co-worker of mine. With his help, we fell in love with the wonderful animals. Before we knew it we were hooked! Stephanie already was growing a black angus herd and has been raising calves for awhile. So when we met and fell in love with the alpaca, it seemed to all fall into place. We've never looked back!
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: I have a co-worker that has been farming alpacas for twelve years. He'd talked about it but I never really gave it much thought. Then one day I read an article in the paper of a interview of a alpaca farm. The lifestyle and living they made. Then I started thinking and researching it more. My co-worker and now friend had all these questions flying at him. I researched it more and started talking to my husband, sister and brother in-law. Several months past, and much research later we decided it was a go! Through my co-worker, he introduced us to a friend, she had been in alpacas for 10 years. She was just starting to broker. She was wonderful! She took us to so many farms and we met lots of nice people. She is now a very good friend! My co-worker just happens to live down the road, him and his wife are now our good neighbors and friends.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: I had a list of names I'd written down. But we couldn't decide on any of them. Then one day Dean, my brother in-law and I (Juanita)started talking about the creek that ran through the pastures. He told me it goes right to the end of the property, then goes into the ground and disappears without a trace. So I wrote that down "disappearing creek" with the other names on my list. When we all started going through the list again, guess what name everyone decided
on....Disappearing Creek!
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: Since we had the space for alpacas, we started mapping out where we would put our new herd and planning how to manage the several small pastures. We built a preimeter fence to keep out Elk, coyotes, and any stray dogs which wonder through our pastures. Then we built fencing for our inner pastures, carefully plotting out runaways, and catch pens, etc. When we decided how the pastures were going to be laid out, we planned how we would build our animal shelters. What direction they would face for weather inclement, etc. We still are in the planning stages on the extension of the barn.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: We gathered as much information as we could via internet searches, talking to people in the business. One thing I've learned- don't be shy! Make appointments to visit different farms. The people in this business are great! The first thing our family noticed going to different farms and attending shows, is everyone is so friendly. When is the last time you noticed that? We've really enjoyed our adventure, and still are!
AlpacaNation: How do you see the industry developing as the U.S. market grows rapidly?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: With all the data I've seen, and the all old alpaca magazines I've read dating back to 1995, this business has REALLY grown and matured. It's amazing how many farms/ranches have started in just the past few years. That was one of the statics we looked at when contemplating starting in this business. The growth potential is amazing compared to any other business opportunity available today. But the one thing more exciting than that, is knowing your raising such wonderful animals....
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Disappearing Creek Ranch: We see it as a medium sized ranch with lots of hands-on raising of these wonderful animals. We just bought an additional 30 acres residing in front of the 40 acres of Disappearing Creek Ranch, in hopes of expanding the pastures, building our house, and perhaps accomodations for visitors to stay. We all want the day-to-day grind of sitting on our porch watching our herd grow and listening to the soft humming of the alpacas!
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