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AlpacaNation Q&A with Heartland "Criations" Alpacas
Kathy & Steve Albert
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2512 Knox Road 500 East, Rio, IL 61472
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309-483-3534
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Heartland "Criations" Alpacas: Where to begin. . .I (Kathy) am a high school principal and a realtor for Century 21. Steve is a correctional officer. We both enjoy classic cars; I came to the relationship with a 1966 Mustang, and Steve brought his 1967 Camaro. We now have other project cars as well, including a 1970 Chevelle.
Together we live the alpaca lifestyle at Hearland "Criations" and share in everything from doing chores and building fence to raising, marketing and showing our alpacas.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Heartland "Criations" Alpacas: Our alpaca venture began in 2000, after months and months of alpaca research and farm visits. This was followed by months and months of farm preparation, barn building and fence building.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Heartland "Criations" Alpacas: I would say the quality of care the animals receive and the quality of our facilities. We always go the extra mile to make sure our care, maintenance and facilities are the best available. Plus, our animals are very approachable because they are handled daily.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Heartland "Criations" Alpacas: My advice would be to spend a great deal of time researching. The more you research and the more time you spend visiting farms, the more you will learn. This exposure will also allow you to make educated decisions when it comes to purchasing, boarding, and/or housing your alpacas. We also strongly recommend that you purchase the best animals available within your budget, because there is no substitute for quality.
AlpacaNation: How do you see the industry developing as the U.S. market grows rapidly?
Heartland "Criations" Alpacas: More and more people know what alpacas are, thanks to AOBA and all of their advertising efforts. The market is definitely growing, and I see the prices of alpacas remaining stable as this occurs because everything produced in the alpaca industry is of top quality. The Alpaca Registry helps in this realm too because alpaca breeders across the country are bettering their herds through selective breeding. This is not an industry people venture into to make a quick buck. Alpaca ownership is an investment in itself, and beyond that, it is a lifestyle--a great one!
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