ABOUT HANGMAN CREEK RANCH ALPACAS

In 1984 I learned that alpacas were being imported into this country. I sent for information and tucked it away in a file I labeled “Retirement Ideas”.

In 2003 it was time to open that file. The alpaca literature was as intriguing then as it had been almost 20 years before. I began my quest for real information and, after visiting several ranches and taking several seminars, I took the plunge. I purchased my first alpacas - bred females - and I’ve not looked back.

I’ve purchased a few more animals and birthed several on my ranch. I am a sponge for knowledge so I continue to attend as many seminars as I can, to meet and pick the brains of any alpaca I can. And I’ve shown some animals as well. All of this has led to my goal of becoming a serious breeder of quality animals. My mission is to work to improve the breed with every generation using thoughtful selection of service sires and by providing the best possible care.

You might be interested to know that, while this was my “Retirement” idea, I am only now, 5 years later, actually leaving a 30 year nursing career to retire! One of the most exciting things I found during my research is that many owners “agist” their animals. “Agist” is a fancy alpaca breeder’s word for boarding. At about the same time I learned this fact, a large alpaca ranch moved onto acreage not 2 miles from where I live. I went to visit and found that they would be happy to agist my animals and would provide the best care I could ask for. My animals have lived there ever since and will until next year when my new ranch will be ready for them.

In deciding if I thought I could successfully raise alpacas I felt the following made it OK for me to think yes:

I grew up on a wheat farm in eastern Washington state and still have land there where I can raise them.
I am a registered nurse with training that will transfer to the husbandry needs, especially the birthing skills, that the alpaca requires.
I love animals.
I like being my own boss.
These animals are generally small enough and docile enough to be raised by a single woman.
And, probably most importantly, the people in this business are so open and helpful! I know I will never truly be going at it alone. I love the people I have met along the way!

My Plan Currently my animals are agisting at 101 Alpacas Ranch north of Salinas, California. Beginning September, 2008, I will live in the farmhouse that my grandfather built for his new bride 90+ years ago. I will remodel the existing barns and add fencing to create a carefully planned alpaca breeding facility. When finished I will bring the alpacas “home”.

At that time I will continue to buy, breed and sell quality Huacaya alpacas. I will provide agisting, breedings to premium herdsires and have a small farm store selling alpaca clothing, gift items and some unique craftware. Once settled I hope also to offer periodic seminars on a number of topics, to open my ranch to visiting groups and to provide 4-H and FFA access. Future plans include providing short haul transport, vet tech type house calls and assistance with setting up and maintaining alpaca record keeping systems. I can’t wait!

In the meantime, contact me. I am happy to have you visit 101 Alpacas Ranch now to see the animals and learn what we believe is the best way to raise these lovely animals. And when you are ready to start your herd, add an animal, or take home a couple of pets, we can help you with that too.