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Farm Store

Welcoming the first alpaca, with Tim Lavan, on the right, and Liz MacEachran to the left.

Heather Welch, of Oak Bluffs showing off a farm store favorite

Sandy DAmico, of West Tisbury, with Moshup.

Philippe Morin, barn builder, local handy-helper, and friend, taking a breather.

Barbara Dutton, or Oak Bluffs, with Dana Anderson, of Edgartown and Hawaii, convening the morning routine.

Charlie Ronchetti, of Lexington, (my brother) and our good friend Doug Tuart, of Bedford, relaxing after shearing day, 2008

Anna Marie DAddarie hosting an alpaca Meet and Greet at Windemere Care Facility.

With my mother and sister-in-law Nancy Ronchetti with our our very first harvest, 2007

Excited to be taking the first alpaca into the barn!

About Island Alpaca

Island Alpaca Company of Martha's Vineyard had the first delivery of alpacas soon after our barn and fencing were completed in November 2006. The first delivery of 10 and two subsequent deliveries through February 2008 completed our official herd of 31 alpaca. Since then we have grown to what is now, a select herd of over fifty colorful huacaya alpaca and one suri alpaca.

We are committed to a breeding program and breeding choices with the goals of producing alpacas with fine fleece, diverse colors, and excellent conformation, as proven in the show-rings and in the progeny. We spend time with our alpacas on a daily basis to insure that they are easy to handle, safe for children, and fun to be around. This means selecting for good disposition and temperament as well as appearance. We take great pleasure in sharing our knowledge with those who are thinking about raising alpacas.  

We are fortunate to have the genetic influence of:

As mentioned above, we have successfully expanded our foundation herd, and sale stock is now available. Agistment/boarding is provided, with your alpacas receiving special care equal to our own. Our alpacas are raised in a clean, healthy environment and exposed to a minimum of external stress; they receive the best in veterinary care, nutrition, handling, pasture and shelter accommodations, our main barn has even been referred to as the "Alpaca Hilton"! With the best and highest standards of alpaca care, management, and the personal attention only a small farm can offer, we hope that you will let us share our knowledge and enthusiasm, and most importantly provide the opportunity for you to experience these delightfully gentle and curious creatures.

Consultation regarding our start-up experience and the resources we have located is available. We encourage a visit our farm on their visit to Martha's Vineyard to observe the healthy "alpaca lifestyle" firsthand, relax, enjoy, and browse through our farm store, just behind the barn.

Our staff, here to support all inquiries, consists of myself, Barbara Ronchetti, and our farm assistants, Phoenix Russell, Philippe Morin, Katherine Welch and our workshop instructor and knitter and spinner extraordinaire, Anna Marie D'Addarie. We also have a number of volunteers, that we are grateful to have. Barbara Dutton, Toni Chute,  Kathleen Byrnes, Doug Tuart, and Charlie and Nancy Ronchetti. A special thanks to our other knitters, in particular my mom, Luise Ronchetti. There is much talent in the bunch!

"This Week on the Vineyard" produced by Plum TV, went to Island Alpaca to talk with Barbara Ronchetti about "all things camelid". With an on-screen appearance by a young alpaca named Cocoa Puff and information about the farm, the animals, their fiber, and their history. Click on the plum to watch!

Our herd is BVD free and all newborn crias are tested after birth. All our alpacas are registered with ARI (Alpaca Registry, Inc).