Island Alpaca Company

2009

September 24, 2009

Island Alpaca Farm Shares Shearing Day With Public

Island Alpaca Company

Island Alpaca Farm welcomed more than 100 members of the public last Friday to see the shearing of the newest additions to their herd: nine baby alpacas, or cria, as they are known to alpaca farmers.

Fun and informative, the shearers, who visited from Unity, N.H., explained the process to onlookers: “You start from the top of the back and work towards the belly,” said Jozi Best, who has been shearing alpacas for over a decade, or more than 2,000 alpacas each year. “Shearing the alpaca stimulates the growth for a strong winter fleece.”

May 21, 2009
farm favorite.

Island Alpaca Company Introduces New Program

Island Alpaca Company

The Island Alpaca Company is introducing a new Sunday morning program called Island Alpaca Junior Discovery, wherein children ages 8 to 18 can learn all about this most noble creature. Participants will find out all where the alpaca come from and why they are important to humans. Educational opportunities include hands-on activities, such as barn chores, alpaca feeding and care, halter training, and possibly, a chance to witness the birth of a new herd member.

February 27, 2009

Prize-Winning Blankets: Island Alpaca Wins Gold

Island Alpaca Company

The Island Alpaca Company participated in the 2009 Symposium and Fleece Event in Syracuse, New York in early February, with the submission of two of alpaca fleece blankets. Made from the super-soft prime fleece that is shorn from the backs of two different alpacas, Estrada and Angelina; these blankets were each awarded blue ribbons. In competition, fleece is judged for fineness and handle, brightness, crimp and density, lack of modulation and, finally, cleanliness. This is the third blue ribbon Estrada has taken home for his fleece alone.

2008

September 18, 2008
alpaca

Winning Photo of Alpaca Appears on State Calendar

Island Alpaca Company
Photography

Heather Welch of Island Alpaca Co. appeared in person to receive her award for winning the photo contest to be published in the 2009 Massachusetts agriculture calendar. Two of her photographs will appear in the 2009 calendar.

The ceremonies took place yesterday, Sept. 18, at the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield.

July 31, 2008
Barbara Ronchetti with alpaca

Corporate Refugee Makes Peace Amid Fleece at Island Alpaca

Matthew Kramer
Island Alpaca Company

“They are cute!” exclaimed four-year-old Liam Rust, an alpaca enthusiast. It’s hard not to become one after seeing the herd at Island Alpaca. The animals graze in a nine-and-a-half-acre gold and green field in front of a Pennsylvania barn that’s nearing the end of its second century.

On a recent summer afternoon, Heather Welch, a 16-year-old caretaker, stood before the barn and sprayed down the alpacas, trying to keep them cool and clean.

January 31, 2008

Introduction to Spinning

Island Alpaca Company

Introduction to Spinning

Introductory classes to spinning with Anna Marie D’Addarie are being offered at the store at the Island Alpaca Farm, Oak Bluffs.

All ages are welcomed. Materials and practice wheels are provided.

The class price is $125. Each class consists of two sessions for a total of eight hours. Wheel rentals are available for use after class for two weeks for an additional $50. A $25 credit can be applied towards any wheel purchase at the end of rental period.

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