Our decision to become involved with alpacas came about with our move from the suburbs to the countryside in search of a different lifestyle. We found the perfect place to call home, Win-Dee Acres Farm in the village of Big Mount. Located in York County Pennsylvania between Dover and East Berlin. With our purchase of an old brick colonial overlooking ten acres our alpaca farm venture was underway. Alpacas, with all their appealing yet quirky characteristics, arrived next and helped to usher in that lifestyle change for us.
While we welcomed the change we never lost sight that our alpaca venture would also be a business venture. And so we read, researched, talked to and visited with numerous alpaca farms, and attended shows and auctions, before we took the plunge with our first alpaca purchase. Like anyone who first encounters the alpaca industry we, too, were skeptical and asked countless questions and found countless answers all of which reassured us that this was an emerging industry that was well-grounded.
Our desire is not to be the largest alpaca farm in Pennsylvania but to purposefully remain small, yet highly selective, so that we can best focus our efforts on education, care, breeding, and exemplary customer service. We look forward to sharing our alpaca insights and experience with you.
Alpaca Facts
Alpacas are native to the Altiplano (highlands) of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. They live in a harsh environment found at 12,000 to 17,500 feet above sea level. The snow, freezing wind and bone chilling cold are the everyday circumstances of these hardy animals. Ichu grass is the natural forage of the Altiplano. It is tough, short and produces little protein. There are no barns and few fences for alpacas in South America. In places other than their natives lands people tend to overfeed, build elaborate barns and generally over do the hardy alpaca`s care.
