If you've ever wondered how an animal as strange as an alpaca could possibly be a good investment, consider this.

The Alpaca industry is new to the U.S.," says alpaca farmer Barbie Tilton. "The growing industry is good news for people looking for American-grown and American-made products from their local farms."

It's certainly true that more and more consumers are looking to localize their buying to support small businesses and Mom'n'Pop ventures in exchange for many of the mass-produced goods brought from overseas. Aside from embracing a heart of loyalty for local producers and businesses, most home-grown items have a rustic, original appeal -- and lots of folks prefer that.

In addition to satisfying consumers with a deepening loyalty to local businesses, alpacas provide an excellent return on investment because their fiber is more versatile than sheep wool or cotton. It comes in over 20 colors naturally, which reduces dye costs and, again, provides a smidgen of rustic charm. 

“There are a lot of old mills, family-owned, multi-generational mills, that are small, that are willing to work in the specialty environment," says Chris Riley, president of the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool. As a result, a lot of those old mills are being revitalized. 


As a small alpaca farm with fiber-producing capabilities, Bright Star Farm is on the leading edge of the textile trend. In fact, shearing is coming up in April, and soon we'll have plenty of fiber for crafting handmade goods that will soon be available for sale.

When you think of farms, what comes to mind first? Maybe Old MacDonald's farm complete with cows, pigs, chickens, and even sheep. But what about alpacas? What are they, anyway?

Native to South America, alpacas are long-haired mammals related to the llama. They're usually kept in herds and bred for their fiber. Alpaca fiber, much like wool, is used for making woven and knitted items like scarves, hats, sweaters, gloves, and blankets, among other things. Because it's so thick, it's a great textile to use for making cold-weather products that keep people warm. It's even smoother than sheep's wool, so it doesn't leave you feeling itchy.

Though alpacas originally came from South America, people all over the world currently breed and raise them for fiber. They generally have very easy dispositions, but beware: some alpacas spit! They usually save their spitting for other alpacas, but if you happen to get in the way, well, it could happen to you, too.

Alpacas are social in the sense that they thrive in herds, but they don't usually like to be surprised or touched unexpectedly by humans. Some, however, do like to be rubbed, as long as they're not spooked by anything.

If you like a quiet farm, alpacas are a good fit. They usually don't shriek, bark, or make a lot of noise. Instead, alpacas prefer to hum to each other. Though the humming can mean many different things, it typically means they are content or signifying their presence to one another. (Sometimes it's even fun to hum back to them to see if the notice. They often do!)

They're also easier to feed than many other farm animals, as they thrive mostly on grass and other plants. They're usually content to spend the day grazing -- which is also a great way to keep your pastures trimmed!

Alpaca fiber is a renewable resource. It grows back every year, so it turns a profit every year, too. Its glossy softness, strength, and flame-resistance make it an excellent choice for farmers who want to keep animals and make a living, too.