Alpaca farms extend warm welcome

Four local breeders take part in National Alpaca Farm Day

By Vanessa Holt, Managing Editor
Those long-necked, woolly animals peering at you from over the fence are not llamas — they’re alpacas.
    The adorable fuzzy-faced quadrupeds, natives of the Andes, bear some resemblance to their larger llama relatives, but are quickly gaining in popularity as a fiber-producing farm animal. They are becoming so popular that this weekend four farms in the Northern Burlington County area will celebrate the second annual National Alpaca Farm Day, a project of the Alpaca Breeders and Owners Association.
    Bred for their fiber, rather than as a beast of burden, alpacas are smaller and have a more luxurious coat than their llama cousins. They also are suited to the climate of New Jersey, because they love cold winters, having been bred in the snows of the Andes in Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
    Sue Tuccillo, of Tuccillo Farms at 30 Hogback Road in Bordentown, said her farm will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with free events throughout the day allowing visitors of all ages to meet the herd, take pictures, visit a boutique featuring alpaca fiber products and watch shearing demonstrations. Face painting, hot dogs, soda, coffee and sweets also will be available.
    The open house is geared toward providing information for prospective owners or buyers. This year is the farm’s 10th anniversary as an alpaca farm, she said. It had previously been a horse farm since 1962. Tuccillo Farm boasts a herd of 40 huacaya alpacas, which have short fiber and a “teddy bear” look, she said.
    “It’s a luxury fiber like cashmere or angora,” she explained, but will not cause allergies in individuals allergic to wool. “It is light, but very warm.”
    Shearing normally takes place in the spring.
    Alpacas have been growing in popularity in the U.S. since 1984 and live about 25 years, said Ms. Tuccillo. “They’re a very good investment,” she said.
    Stormwind Alpaca Farms, at 1862 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, in Springfield, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
    “My focus is on educating the public about alpacas,” said owner Ingrid Wood. “(Visitors) can take a pasture walk, we talk about the animals themselves and the environment and climate it takes to farm with them, but I will also have alpaca wares available.” A fiber artist, Jackie Bak, will be available to discuss working with alpaca fleece.
    The farm has been breeding alpacas since 1997 and has a herd of 24 huacaya alpacas.
    “They do very well in our climate, but they prefer cold weather over warm, so the only time that requires vigilance is actually during the summer,” she said. “This time of year is perfect.”
    Information about workshops and seminars at the farm is available at the farm Web site, www.stormwindalpacas.com.
    Ms. Wood said she likes to focus on educating the public about what it takes to raise and breed the animals to ensure they are properly cared for, as many new owners might not realize the work that is involved in caring for the exotic creatures.
    Double 8 Alpaca Ranch, at 49 Folwell Station Road in Jobstown, is open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with alpaca fiber projects for kids and adults, fiber products and a chance to meet the herd, according to the National Alpaca Farm Days Web site (www.nationalalpacafarmdays.com). The farm Web site (www.double8alpacas.com) states that it specializes in the accoyo breed. The rain date for the event is Sunday.
    Windy Farm Alpacas, at 61 White Pine Road in Chesterfield, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The farm has been in operation since 1999 and the herd now includes 25 alpacas. Its Web site (www.windyfarmalpacas.com) states that the farm specializes in huacaya breed alpacas. Alpaca fiber products will be on sale.