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We are several years from retirement and were beginning to think seriously about what kind of retirement would best suit our interests.  Our children are grown and on their own (or close to it),and it was time to do something just for us.  While many faced with this think about going south and sitting next to a pool or playing golf, that just was not appealing to us.  We knew we wanted something in our lives that would make things interesting and give us a reason to look forward to each new day.        Alpacas slipped into our thinking through internet, newspaper, and magazine exposure.  We had seen them several years ago when participating in our county fair through 4-H, but were not in a position at that time to pursue an interest. That changed as our life moved in a new direction.  We had acreage, our children were pursuing their own lives, and the immenence of retirement was much closer.

Scroll down to bottom of page for alpaca  info links.

After researching the investment potential, seeing  an accountant, and reading everything we could lay our hands on, we decided that this was the right decision for us and we moved ahead with our purchases. We have met many wonderful people in this industry, have participated in shows,  joined many of the orgainizations, and have an ongoing marketing program..  Having started with 8 alpacas in 2002, we now have between 60 and 70 at our farm at any given time.  Our original barn was a 40x40 horse barn which has now grown to a barn of just under 6000 square feet.  We have also added 2 smaller structures for summer use, and an 1812 bank barn.   We have many more plans and are confident that we made the right choice for the two of us.  We would love to have you come and visit us, whether it is just out of curiosity, or because you are intrigued by the possibilities that this new industry holds for the future.        The links below will take you to some of the sites that we found most helpful when we started our quest.  Happy Exploring!

AOBA

The Alpaca Owner's and Breeders Association - national governing group for the alpaca industry in the U.S. - responsible for show standards, dissemination of information, and promotion of the industry.  Investment info and general alpaca info are also here.

OABA

The Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association - the Ohio affiliate of AOBA - a great way to network with other local farms

The Alpaca Registry - all breeding alpacas in the U.S. are DNA tested and registered through this independent organization.  The process is relatively inexpensive and insures that you are getting what you are paying for.  The existence of ARI was one of the things that most impressed us about the alpaca industry.

ARI

AFCNA

What do you do with all that fiber?  One answer is send it to the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America.  Breeders become members by buying shares and then send their annual clip (the fiber sheared from their animals each year) to the coop to be processed into yarn or finished garments.  Product can then be purchased back for retail sale at your farm.  Just another way to make some money from your investment.

Bob and Kathy Arnold Whistler's Glen Alpacas 8114 Valley View Rd. Hudson, Ohio 44236 phone 330-342-4482 fax 330-653-3538