Alpaca…. It’s cuter than Cotton!
(A reflection and personal opinion)
By Val Newell
It is that time again, with the last leaves of the year nearly gone, and just a few hanging on tenaciously before the cold winds of winter force them to abandon their posts…. I have always called this the honest time of year…. Underneath the beautiful foliage of summer, the deep fall unveils the huge masses of trees and limbs that once looked so fruitful; they now become starkly exposed against the deep blue of the sky… much like what has happened to the alpaca industry.
November 18th, Nashville, Tennessee at the AOBA national office, that is where a bit of history was about to take place. From all over the country Industry leaders had been gathered. They brought with them, distrust, disillusionment, skepticism, but more importantly HOPE. Everyone knows the alpaca industry is in dire need of revival… most forward thinking people know that what the industry needs is to “create a fiber market”.
The participants in this meeting, called to order by AOBA, but called “Build a Tent” was spear headed by Claudia Raessler. It was truly due to the respect for Claudia and the integrity that she had demonstrated, that most participants would even consider this meeting.
To the average person, trying to figure out just what this meeting was all about, was challenging to say the least; it was fraught with skepticism, and a bit of fear. The premise of this meeting was to ask, if we as a group were ready or would be willing to form an organization, or an Alliance to work together as producers, without AOBA running, owning, or controlling this group. The vote was determinedly decided that as long as this new group would be run by the producers and NOT AOBA, then the Alpaca Alliance would be formed, and so on that eventful day, the Alpaca Alliance was formed. There are many details left to be decided upon. Who will make up the board? How can we all work together for the common good of the producers and ultimately the alpaca fiber industry? How can we make sure that the integrity of the group is maintained and personal agendas are not carried out…? That is where the HOPE comes in, and yes we are all going to need to gather up a healthy supply of that…. And even more than HOPE… we need to fill the lining of Hope with TRUST, or perhaps we could call this intelligent optimism. Otherwise nothing can be accomplished. “You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible”. - Anton Chekhov
The group, the newly formed Alpaca Alliance also passionately agreed to something else, something really exciting, the hiring of Nick Hahn, the genius behind, everything we know about COTTON today. With many industry parallels, the opportunity to brand alpaca with a logo and brand alpaca for its unique properties was something Nick felt he wanted to become a part of. This is exciting folks! Perhaps more than any other time in the alpaca industry, we finally have a professional textile developer who specializes in natural fiber; working for the alpaca industry! Certainly these are the times we will speak of….for many years to come.
Admittedly there is still so much to think about, and so much more to learn, before the whole plan comes together. Each thread of knowledge, like a beautifully woven cloth, comes together a piece at a time. Each individual needs to make their own decision as to how much or how little they want to be involved, and respect for that decision is always catamount.
I for one will take the leap of faith, and dare to trust that good can be accomplished. Personally I would rather be met with disappointment than to never have hoped.
On a Sunday after flying home from “Build a Tent” in Tennessee to New Hampshire and arriving home from this monumental meeting, the sun was shining and a rather warm breeze was blowing it seemed things were happening on our farm as well. Always a blessing and always a miracle, a beautiful baby girl was born; she is white…. as white as well…. We named her “Little Miss Cotton”…. it just seemed appropriate!
Val Newell
Co Founder CIABA
www.ciaba.org
The Green Alpaca
www.thegreenalpaca.com
Little Miss Cotton
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
"If you build it, they will come".
“If you build it they will come”
Our farm was established in 2003. We found (like it was a buried treasure) a dilapidated old (circa 1700’s) farm house with land, and saw this as a chance to build something unique, sustainable, and enjoyable.( We had our work cut out for us!). But the mission had begun.
Yurts and alpacas that was our goal.
We saw this as a golden green opportunity and like a seed sprouting with energy we embraced the dream, and created “THE GREEN ALPACA”. This carved the path to argritourism, eco-tourism, which to me simply means “share with others”…. Share the land; share how good it feels to be close to nature, and this beautiful gift of the earth.
We purchased our first alpacas, starting out with just 2 females, who were pregnant.
The first year we grew to 4 alpacas. Once we had them we quickly realized the alpacas were a magnificent species. We built a larger barn believing “if you build it they will come!” We moved forward with our plans to offer boarding (called agisting in this industry) for those who would like to have alpacas but do not have farm land, or who want a farm and land at a later time. This was step one in our plan at “sustainability”. It worked. And come they did!
It was not long, actually by the next year our farm had grown to 20 alpacas. Within 3 years we had reached 50, and now presently we maintain our herd around 70 most of the time. Our alpacas have origins in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Although most of the alpacas here were born in the USA in fact at least half of this herd is a local product born and made right here in NH!
Most of the alpaca babies or crias are born in the spring and summer months from May through September. A few are born lastly in the month of October. Each year we have somewhere around 10-15 births on the farm. We love the little munchkins! When they are born, they weigh around 15 pounds... and are all legs with huge eyes!
We also have a small farm store presently on the farm, (and yes we have big plans that go round and round but in this case they actually get somewhere! We plan on a 30 ft yurt store in the near future). Presently our little Green Shop is open to browse around in. Inside you will find alpaca yarns from the alpacas that live here, and alpaca items, such as Red Maple Sportswear, socks, alpaca teddy bears, and fair trade items from Peru and the other countries represented here by the animals we love and treasure.
And then came yurts......
That started with pictures. Yup. Pictures on my walls for years. I always said “someday I will own a yurt”…. I read about them, and read more. I pictured life in them, and I loved them. I mean I really loved them.
Finally in 2008 we met Paul Desrochers, of White Mountain Yurts. That was the clincher! What a great guy, what a great family, and what an awesome yurt builder!Our fabulous yurt deck was crafted by Peter Tudisco, of Tudisco Construction. This guy is the simply the best!
He along with all the precious volunteers raised our yurt up in just hours! They were beautiful hours. Watching the beams make their circle, watching the dome that would be the window of the sky…. And the eye of many dreams as the stars light up the imaginations and sooth the souls of those who peer through them. It would become the secret window to sooth the soul. As I watched the eyes of the spectators, you could see it all in a moment’s time….
Now the yurt rests here, with us, on this great piece of green. Now we can share it with you. It is what we love to do, simply share simple things, the little things, because it’s really not things that bring true happiness. It is life and sharing life that we enjoy; it’s the stuff that dreams are made of!
So there you have it, Yurts, Alpacas, a green and sustainable living…. We will take it, how about you?
Our farm was established in 2003. We found (like it was a buried treasure) a dilapidated old (circa 1700’s) farm house with land, and saw this as a chance to build something unique, sustainable, and enjoyable.( We had our work cut out for us!). But the mission had begun.
Yurts and alpacas that was our goal.
We saw this as a golden green opportunity and like a seed sprouting with energy we embraced the dream, and created “THE GREEN ALPACA”. This carved the path to argritourism, eco-tourism, which to me simply means “share with others”…. Share the land; share how good it feels to be close to nature, and this beautiful gift of the earth.
We purchased our first alpacas, starting out with just 2 females, who were pregnant.
The first year we grew to 4 alpacas. Once we had them we quickly realized the alpacas were a magnificent species. We built a larger barn believing “if you build it they will come!” We moved forward with our plans to offer boarding (called agisting in this industry) for those who would like to have alpacas but do not have farm land, or who want a farm and land at a later time. This was step one in our plan at “sustainability”. It worked. And come they did!
It was not long, actually by the next year our farm had grown to 20 alpacas. Within 3 years we had reached 50, and now presently we maintain our herd around 70 most of the time. Our alpacas have origins in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Although most of the alpacas here were born in the USA in fact at least half of this herd is a local product born and made right here in NH!
 |
| Newborn "Taffy" gets a kiss from aunt Halli |
We also have a small farm store presently on the farm, (and yes we have big plans that go round and round but in this case they actually get somewhere! We plan on a 30 ft yurt store in the near future). Presently our little Green Shop is open to browse around in. Inside you will find alpaca yarns from the alpacas that live here, and alpaca items, such as Red Maple Sportswear, socks, alpaca teddy bears, and fair trade items from Peru and the other countries represented here by the animals we love and treasure.
And then came yurts......
That started with pictures. Yup. Pictures on my walls for years. I always said “someday I will own a yurt”…. I read about them, and read more. I pictured life in them, and I loved them. I mean I really loved them.
Finally in 2008 we met Paul Desrochers, of White Mountain Yurts. That was the clincher! What a great guy, what a great family, and what an awesome yurt builder!Our fabulous yurt deck was crafted by Peter Tudisco, of Tudisco Construction. This guy is the simply the best!
He along with all the precious volunteers raised our yurt up in just hours! They were beautiful hours. Watching the beams make their circle, watching the dome that would be the window of the sky…. And the eye of many dreams as the stars light up the imaginations and sooth the souls of those who peer through them. It would become the secret window to sooth the soul. As I watched the eyes of the spectators, you could see it all in a moment’s time….
Now the yurt rests here, with us, on this great piece of green. Now we can share it with you. It is what we love to do, simply share simple things, the little things, because it’s really not things that bring true happiness. It is life and sharing life that we enjoy; it’s the stuff that dreams are made of!
The sounds of the breeze, the sounds of the night owl, the whippoorwill, the gentle sound of the brook… and the remarkable peace the yurt itself gives as a gift to people who come to stay within it’s womb- like embrace. You will often see me use the descriptive words such as, refresh, renew, and a new one I have coined,(and really love) "re-green" your soul. We all need that chance once in a while, to put fresh new ideas in our minds,lift our hearts, clear away the cobwebs and breathe all the way down to our toes... to the very last tiny toe!
So there you have it, Yurts, Alpacas, a green and sustainable living…. We will take it, how about you?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Coming up March 15-21 National Wildlife week
Outside this morning, the steady wind still cold and reminding of winter.The sun not yet peeking through sleepy eyes... and yet the feathered and the furred were awake and heralding in the morning . Little birds were chirping, our bunny(Thumper) who lives with the turkeys and chickens and alpacas) was running all around kicking up his giant back feet high in the air and welcoming the very first light, and the roosters.... (all 8 of them) yes all crowing in various stages of rooster puberty!! The Autumn Olive trees were filled with frolic , and are always a haven for migratory birds, song birds, and resident "fluffs". The other day, chattering and wing flapping caught my eye, as I suddenly noticed trees full of the little masked bandits, the Cedar Wax Wings... yes spring is coming and the woodland creatures all know it, the ants are slowly coming out of wood marching in their soldier formations and on a mission!
Deep in the forest under some thick leaves we found some tiny green and red shoots... what a great feeling to glimpse the power packed into those tiny shoots! The leaves smell warm, and earthy . With National Wildlife Week coming up, get out there ! The earth is teaming with life! Enjoy!
Deep in the forest under some thick leaves we found some tiny green and red shoots... what a great feeling to glimpse the power packed into those tiny shoots! The leaves smell warm, and earthy . With National Wildlife Week coming up, get out there ! The earth is teaming with life! Enjoy!
Friday, February 19, 2010
"If you keep a green bough in your heart the singing bird will come"
For many years, I have attempted to blog, talk or rant, or whatever one wants to call it. I know many of you feel the same way. What will I say, and why should I even say it, or who will even care? Well the funny thing is,we are all compelled to read the deeper thoughts and expressions of each other... sometimes we laugh , sometimes we cry, sometimes we agree or disagree.
There are times that we learn, and it is those times that I treasure, if in someway I can become a better person than I am all for it! When I stumble across some neat information or someone who has expressed themselves about their lives, families or things they care about..... I always think in my heart, good for you!
One of the reasons I couldn't start a blog was I was simply stuck for a name to call it! So I finally decided to name my blog. It is a quote I have learned to live by all me life. I hope if you stop by here from time to time you might find something that just made your day a little brighter. I won't promise epiphany's or that you will even find anything interesting but from time to time there just might be.......
Some of the things you will find here? Alpaca stories, photographs of nature in all its glory, funny things, and oh, certainly opinions. :)
There are times that we learn, and it is those times that I treasure, if in someway I can become a better person than I am all for it! When I stumble across some neat information or someone who has expressed themselves about their lives, families or things they care about..... I always think in my heart, good for you!
One of the reasons I couldn't start a blog was I was simply stuck for a name to call it! So I finally decided to name my blog. It is a quote I have learned to live by all me life. I hope if you stop by here from time to time you might find something that just made your day a little brighter. I won't promise epiphany's or that you will even find anything interesting but from time to time there just might be.......
Some of the things you will find here? Alpaca stories, photographs of nature in all its glory, funny things, and oh, certainly opinions. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)