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AlpacaNation Q&A with Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion
Gerry & Catie Dutcher
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14566 Nina Ct, Waterford, VA 20197
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540-882-9066
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: We started Butterfly Hill on a vision of the future in 2004 after we had literally stumbled onto our little paradise in historical Waterford Va. There were huge butterfly bushes in front of our new home and butterflies were everywhere and as we became more involved with the Alpaca Community we came to recognize that our name really described our transformation from an urban/military existence to the quiet, rural lifestyle and our extremely rewarding interactions with the Alpaca community we currently enjoy
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: We are primarily about Alpaca Fashion and then Alpaca Breeding. We are going to be a part of the future of Alpaca and not just the current breeding frenzy. We need the character and fineness of the fleece from healthy, well cared for Alpacas. Catie has a degree in fashion merchandising, and she has a wonderful, creative talent for transforming fleece into exceptional fashion forward products.
We are about caring, respect, and handling excellence through Marty Bennett's CameliDynamics teachings. Gerry is now a registered CameliDynamics Handler and Catie is completing her Handlers paperwork. Our training and our caring philosophy shows in our herd. Walk into our pastures and the girl's come running to meet you. Loading our Alpacas is a breeze. They walk into the trailer and they walk off.
We expect to be a part of a fashion forward future and are already vocal and active in developing a market for the future of North American Alpaca fiber. Talk to us about the fu
AlpacaNation: How do you see the industry developing as the U.S. market grows rapidly?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: The Alpaca Industry will continuously move to finer and finer fiber. The Paco Vicuna is probably the next rage, but to be successfull we also need to develop the Alpaca Market and quit supporting the South American market. The products we make are all "American Made" fibers. We'll be happy to send you some pictures of our exquisite hand made fashions.
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: With the small farmette we currently have we will be growing to 20 Alpaca units with a strong focus on natural colors, exceptional fleece character, and the finest fibers we can develop. For example, our last micron tests has Jupiter our fawn stud @16.4 microns, Buckeye our Med Brn stud at 20 microns and we also have Snowflake our white foundation dam at 17 microns. With breedings to Royal Fawn, Invincible and Dom Lucillio we are expecting to move quickly on our path to excellence.
AlpacaNation: What has been the most helpful advice you have received from your veterinarian?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: We have spent a lot of time researching the alpaca industry and have taken a lot of seminars from well know veterinarians. Specifically, we have embraced the Dr Evans philosophy and use his approved supplements and minerals along with his advice for pastures. One has to carefully maintain the balance of the nutrition provided by the pasture, their feed, and their minerals.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: There is so much we do not know as an industry in terms of breeding and there is yet so many misunderstand and disagreements. We do not need the dangers of a breed standard when we yet know so very little about the alpaca genome.
AlpacaNation: Do you have a favorite Alpaca? Why is it your favorite?
Butterfly Hill Farm, Fiber & Fashion: ELK Memphis Thunder our True Black stud is my absolute favorite. He is quite the character on our farm with absolutely delightful bundles of bold, bold crimp and is definitely our alpha male. He was an abandoned alpaca that grew up with a Llama and an ugly haircut when we found him, but we could see his potential. After a year on our farm and under our program of care he has jumped up in the standings and has been consistently in the winning ring and with a number of second placings he has been in the Championship ring also.
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