The benefits of raising alpaca go beyond their provision of fiber. Alpacas are naturally gentle creatures, generating a minimal environmental footprint that enables alpaca farmers to integrate the herd into ecological restoration plans. Along the way, alpaca farmers also find meaningful connections with the animals, the land, and a close-knit community of avid alpaca lovers. […]
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Written by Sasha Wirth and photographed by Paige Green The Irresistible Charm of Alpaca Fiber A baby blanket, crocheted from soft and cozy alpaca fiber, was Charlene Schmid’s first glimpse into a new world of fiber. She was making it for her daughter, and the experience of working with such a silky, luxurious fiber left […]
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Written and photographed by Koa Kalish Alpacas Offer Nurturing Community Three days ago, Lisa Beatty woke up to see all of her female alpacas huddled together in a tight circle, facing inward. She knew that they must be circling around a newborn cria (or baby). “All of the moms love the babies,” she explains. “They […]
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Written and photographed by Sarah Lillegard except as noted Creating a Space for Alpacas to Thrive Sadie, at a week old, is running around the paddock dodging other alpacas as she makes her way up the hill and around the barn. She is one of two crias, (pronounced “kree-ah”) born this season at Sierra Rose […]
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Written by Amanda Fisk & Photographed by Paige Green Developing High-Quality Fibers from Alpaca Fleece Signe Ostby, the owner of Valhalla Yarns and Valhalla Farms, began knitting as a child. After many years of perfecting her personal knitting skills, she began searching for a high-quality yarn perfect for knit projects. She wanted a yarn that […]
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Written by Amanda Fisk & Photographed by Paige Green Finding a Calling on a Trip to Peru Nicasio is a very scenic and attractive natural area, with forested and open ridge lines surrounding a wide rolling valley in Marin County, California. Oak, bay, and fir trees are common in the area, and wildlife is abundant. Nicasio is […]
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Written & Photographed by Koa Kalish Macedo Family Embrace A New Sustainable Way of Life Four generations ago, two families immigrated from far away lands to settle in a small town in the Central Valley of California. In this town called Turlock, Larry and Maureen Macedo now continue the tradition of their ancestors: Larry’s from […]
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This is the second blog featuring the Fibershed Knitalong, a collaborative endeavor to support us all growing closer to the land that shelters us. If you missed the first blog, read about the project and the ‘Roundtable’ of knitters who joined in to kick off this community effort. Here, we checked in with Fibershed members and supporters to reflect on […]
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Written by Terra Christian and photographed by Alycia Lang Alpacas’ Personalities Bring Joy to Farm Tucked in the golden, rolling hills just north of Vacaville, California, Menagerie Hill Ranch is a small, family-run alpaca ranch . Deb Galway and Kirk Howard, the owners and operators, started keeping animals with just a few sheep to keep […]
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Written by Traci Prendergast and photographed by Alycia Lang Utilizing the Power of Observation to Tend to Livestock As I park at Spring Coyote Ranch, the first thing that comes into perspective is the sweeping view of Tomales Bay. In between the water and myself is Kelli and Ken Dunaj’s home. From the outside, it […]
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