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AlpacaNation Q&A with Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas
Rebecca & Chris Arnold
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1024 Lower Whiteoak Road, Ashford, WV 25009
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1-304-836-5035
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Our interest began in 1999 when I was up late one night giving our oldest son a bottle. I saw the “I love alpacas” commercial and it always remained a possibility. It was December of 2005 when we made our first purchase. In 2008 we grew to 25 alpacas with 19 females.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Jesus said in the book of John chapter 10:11&14
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
When Christ came into our lives he made a change. We realized that God made the ultimate sacrifice to save us from our sins. Jesus gave his life so that we could be saved.
We wanted a farm name that would open doors to share the good news of Christ. We have had some wonderful conversations with our farm visitors as well as other alpaca breeders about our walk with Christ. Also, not long after we named our farm, a family member asked God to come into their life.
We want to give God praise for all of his blessings on our farm and ministry.
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: We first met in 1991 on a trip. Five years later we were married. We have two children, both boys. We are very active in our community and church. Both of us love the lifestyle of alpaca farming. For more information about us and our farm please visit
http://www.gsfalpacas.com/aboutus.html
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: At first it was the I love alpacas commercial. Once we visited a few farms we knew that alpacas were in our future.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Our dedication to this industry is second to none. We are continuosly growing and making additions to our farm business. And offer our full support to our clients, 24/7. We also offer our clients a detailed alpaca lineage report called ALPACAfax. This detailed report outlines the alpacas entire lineage with pictures of both ancestors and progeny. Everything from colors & gender produced to show records. This report is a must have for all interested in purchasing an alpaca and cannot be found anywhere else in the Alpaca Industry.
We also offer:
Unlimited Breedings to any GSFA Herdsire
Reproductive Guarantee
Unlimited Breed Backs to any GSFA Herdsire
6 Months Free Board
Free delivery up to 200 miles
Paid ARI transfer of ownership
1 year paid AOBA Show division membership
1 year paid subscription to ALPACA Magazine
ALPACAfax reports for your Herdsires
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Watching our oldest son participating in the performance classes at shows. He has won several awards and wants to become a camelid vet when he grows up. He is 9 years old.
We always get excited when a cria is born. It becomes out new favorite one on the farm. With each cria born, to us, give the feeling of an accomplishment. We love sharing our experiences and memories. Gice us a call anytime you want to talk about alpacas.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Research, Farm Visits, Talk with breeders, get references of past customers,
The developement of ALPACAfax
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Visit as many farms as you can
Purchase the best you can
Before you purchase, research the farm and the alpaca
Contact us and utilize ALPACAfax - free to all our clients
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: We expect our farm to grow yearly. Within 10 years we would like our numbers to be around 30-40. Not growing too fast. Were not wanting to have a herd large than 40.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Stay on top of it. Females loose or slip pregnancies. Also breed to the best male you can get to always improve on your females
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: The larger breeders have been doing this for allot longer and have worked hard to get where they are. The biggest challenge the small farm faces is marketing. Large farms already have the name recognition and reputation. As a small farm we are developing services of our own in an attmpt to gain our own name recognition. With services like ALPACAfax and ALPACA P.O.B. we hope to become a major hub of information and research for all that may be interested in becoming alpaca breeders. Give us a call for more information
AlpacaNation: Do you have a favorite Alpaca? Why is it your favorite?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: I would have to say that our Herdsire MLA Autumn Blaze is my favorite. We purchased him at a young age and he is the best all round alpaca that I have seen. His temperment is excellent and he would walk a tight rope if we wanted him to. He has won several awards in the performance classes. He has given us 75% females, which is great, and as they develope into adults we see that he passes his temperment on to his offspring. He is such a good boy and we are blessed to have him on our farm.
AlpacaNation: Any embarrassing moments you would like to share?
Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas: Once I was helping our vet draw blood from a large male. The male would cush everytime the vet would begin to stick him. I decided to squat down and put some weight on his shoulder and just hold him down. BAD IDEA! The male jumped up and bucked me off! We all had a good laugh. The boy was not hurt but my pride was.
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