About Us
We ventured into the world of alpacas in 2004 after doing 2 years of research and trying to talk ourselves out of the farm life. My name is Donna Longenecker and I am their owner, handler, nurse, chief poop scooper and sometimes their mother. I am a mom, wife and nurse for humans by trade but my full-time gig is alpacas. I have a husband and 2 kids that help with the “dirty work” whenever needed. We started out with 4 alpacas with the intention of breeding and selling them. I quickly learned that I could not bear to part with the babies so my business plan needed to be adjusted. I love to teach and I love to host parties so agritourism was a natural fit. We added an onsite store and an event space to the farm and I haven’t looked back. Our guests leave our farm with new alpaca knowledge, plenty of selfies and lots of alpaca stories. Our Events and Summer Camps are now a big part of my life and I look forward to each one.
I do breed the alpacas but I rarely sell them. I like to keep the herd size under 30 so I can devote individual attention to each animal. Alpacas are unlike any other creature I’ve known. Much time and research is needed to understand them and their needs. But with devotion and patience, each animal can trust their humans and thrive within the herd. Even the rescues that I’ve taken on that arrive sick and completely untrusting can thrive with proper care.
We also have a flock of free-range chickens roaming around (for eggs) and a few Angora goats too. Everyone gets along and everyone gets a hug…it’s my requirement to live here.
Our store is filled with warm and soft alpaca goodness. The alpacas are sheared once a year and I process most of the fiber on the farm. I use the fiber to make some products for the store but most of the fiber is sold to other fiber artists or is used during one of our many events. Shoppers can visit the alpacas while they are here. Please see our “Shop” page for store hours.
Even though their is intense worry, blood, sweat and sometimes heartache on the farm, I would not trade it for anything. I love them all.