Heather Welch greeted by Douglas Petersen, Commisioner, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Award winning photograph, by Heather Welch, in the Massachusetts Agricultural Calendar 2009, and the National Alpaca's Magazine, Fall, 2008.
Award winning photograph, by Barbara Ronchetti as it appears in the Alpacas Magazine, Fall, 2008
Award winning photograph, by Barbara Ronchetti as it appears in the Alpacas Magazine, Fall, 2008
Phoenix Russell, a member of the Island Alpaca staff, and owner of Equine Natural Movement Series, with her dog, Luna.
Newly formed organization to raise awareness and funding for the people of the Peruvian Altiplano
A photo of a suri alpaca in Nunoa
Island Alpaca News
It's a Boy! Island Alpaca Farm Birthday-Challenge Winners AnnouncedJoan Hewson of Edgartown and Tonya Thomas also of Edgartown, both correctly guessed that Island Alpaca "Margeaux" would be the first alpaca this year to give birth out of twenty pregnant females, and were the closest to predict the actual arrival time. The winning birthdate was Saturday, May 8. Both Joan and Tonya had guessed that the arrival time would be at 11:30 am, however "Margeaux" surprised the farm with their first-ever evening baby, arriving at 6:30 pm, a healthy, 15.6 pound dark rose-grey boy with light-grey socks and ears..jpg)
Both Joan and Tonya will be awarded each a $50 gift certificate to Island Alpaca farm. There were two of nearly 150 entries in the Farms Birthday Challenge, with 18 others that correctly guessed "Margeaux" would be the first, and one other, Genny Abbot that guessed "Margeaux" along with the the winning day.
The newborn is now up to 16.8 pounds, and is one lively little guy. The public is invited to meet him, and welcome him into the herd. Ten additional new arrivals are expected this month, and we hope that the public will be able to witness a few afternoon births, as the farm is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. April 24, 2010, Island Alpaca Farm: Third Annual Shearing Day Festival was a big hit!
A beautiful sunny day, with a host of friendly staff, family, and friends, and a lot of advance preparation, Island Alpaca sheared a total of 67 alpaca. (Included in the mix were a number of other alpaca belonging to other islanders, and to some owners who currently board their alpaca at the farm.) The Best's, from New Hampshire were at hand shearing the alpaca, with assistants Cody Fifield of New Mexico, James Grady and Steve Phillips of New Hampshire and Maine. Other helpers were Charles Ronchetti, trimming 536 toenails, Nancy Ronchetti and Neil Hartery and Douglas Touart sorting and bagging fleece as it was shorn, and Kathleen Byrnes weighing and documenting fleece. Evelyn Ronchetti kept the area clean and clear so that the fleece was kept separate. Sue Currier, Phoenix Russell, and Philippe Morin, prepping and delivering the alpaca, Sandy D'Amico and "Ba" Dutton and as our hosts, and Louise Ronchetti, knitting, Heather Welch welcoming visitors to the store, and Caila Morin and Tonya Thomas welcoming visitor at the entrance. Pat Waring and Toni Chute helped with the food, and finally Mike Tullos served the role of "farm photographer" for the day. In just under 8 working hours, roughly 7 minutes per alpaca. to yield over three hundred pounds of fleece, much of which is destined to go to a New Hampshire fiber mill this week, for processing into our yarns that we will sell in our farm store, and offer to local knitters to produces clothing and accessories for our store. And the rest, to the local alpaca fiber cooperative to produce many of our socks, gloves, hats and scarves.
The farm also had door prizes as we do every year. Winner of the Island Alpaca blanket is Rose Cecil of Edgartown, and Megan Wiener of Cumberland, RI won a gift certificate, and Missy Willoughby of Edgartown, won the Alpaca stuffed toys.
Click here: Alpaca Farm Shearing Day, to see some photos from last ears event! You can also see our first annual cria-shearing event on our site here.
Bring the family to our next shearing, when we do our newest alpaca babies. Scheduled for August, 2010 (date to be determined). Meet the alpaca and enjoy a day with island friends. For those interested in the alpaca lifestyle, this event will enable you to understand better the alpaca investment, and ask questions about how to best get started, setting up farm facilities, alpaca nutrition and herd  management, financing, and what to do with all that fabulous fleece! Experience the fleece to fiber transition first-hand. Ongoing alpaca video presentation. Observe the expert shearers as they work their clippers through the alpacas fabulous fleece, without any harm to the animal. You may also purchase the yarn from specific Island Alpaca Farm animals, as our farm store will be open all day! Refreshments available. Admission: $5/person. We hope you can join us!
March 2010, Singing the Blues... Again!
Four Blue Ribbon, First Place Awards and Judges Choice! at the MOPACA Invitational Alpaca Show.
Once again, Island Alpaca Co. is very proud to work with many of our country's best knitters and spinners, and offer products, hand-crafted from the following artists. We also feature many other talented individuals not entered in this competition. Stop by for a visit to see for yourself!
Felted Category, Felted Hat by Julie Wheeler, from Island Alpaca yarn.
Novelty Yarn Skein, Yarn produced from Island Alpaca "Noepe". (Judges Choice @ 100 Points!)
Hand-Knit Booties, Yarn produced from Island Alpaca "Captain Jack", by Sue Larsen
Hand-Spun Yarn, Two-ply, by Philippe Morin. (Red Ribbon)
Hand-Knit Baby Layette/Sweater Set, (sweater, hat, & booties) crafted by Karen Malizia. Congratulations to all!
NEW: BABY ALERTS!MANY Alpaca Births expected this Spring and Summer!! Please view our Projected Birthday List here. to learn who is due, and when! This year, Island Alpaca hopes to send an email alert to those that wish to be contacted when there is a new birth on the way, or when a new baby has just arrived. If you want to be on our Baby Alert list, please join our group Island Alpaca on Facebook!
Island Alpaca First Annual Alpaca Birthday Challenge! Win a $100 gift certificate to shop online, or in our farm store. Simply be the one to be the closest to guess the day and time, and which alpaca will be the first to have their baby this year! (Alpaca names are listing in Hint #2). It is easy to enter. Simply send to us by email (or snail mail) your full name, age, if under 18, and telephone number so we can call you on the babies birthday, should you be the lucky winner, then your guess: We need the alpacas name who you think will be the first to give birth, the day, date, and the time (please specify am or pm), and just for fun, if you think it will be a male or a female! Here are three hints: Hint #1: Most, alpacas give birth in the morning, or early afternoon. Hint #2: See Projected Birthday List from above, in Baby Alert Section. Hint #3: Average gestation is 11 to11-1/2 months.
February 14, 2010, Island Alpaca Herd Sire, Estrada, Wins Big in Texas... Yee-Haw! .jpg)
 Our well decorated herdsire Estrada, won again, not only in his age group, of mature males, but took the big win in the entire color class of all ages, at the 2010 TxOLAN Alpaca Spectacular Spin-off Competition! He was judged the best of fifteen other alpaca, even the youngest of animals! Up against some stiff competition! What an accomplishment! Bravo Estrada!
April 24, 2010, Island Alpaca Farm:
Third Annual Shearing Day Open House It is Official... Date confirmed! Mark your calendars for this remarkable event that will feature some of the areas finest alpacas. Over 50 alpacas are scheduled for shearing and public viewing. Bring the family for an hour of fun, and education. At this Open House event you will meet the alpaca and enjoy a day with island friends. Learn more about this special day on our Workshop's & Events Page.
April 10, 2010, Farm Sponsors Birthing and Neonatal Seminar
Island Alpaca is proud to host a Neonatal Clinic with Dr Cheryl DeWitt, one of the most respected camelid vetrinarians in the United States.
This seminar is a must-have for all future breeders, experienced breeders and vetrinarians. Other livestock breeders will certainly benefit from this seminar.
Enjoy a morning lecture with presentations, on female reproduction/breeding; reproductive anatomy/physiology, breeding/pregnancy diagnosis options, gestational development and  much more! Afternoon wet-lab using uterine simulators, will challenge registrants to diagnose the contents of the uterus, discuss a proposed delivery plan, identify and correct dystocias to deliver the cria safely.
Invaluable emergency training, and a lot of fun!
Course-book and breakfast and lunch provided. Class size very limited. 9:30 am-6 pm. $250, and $225 for additional participants from the same farm-(one course-book). The price of the workshop is refundable should the attendee purchase alpacas or breedings to any of Island Alpaca fully owned herd sires.
For information and registration, click here.
Seminar may be repeated on 04/11/2010. Please inquire.
It's Show-Time for Island Alpaca Farm; Our 2010 Schedule...watch for updates!
 This year, Island Alpaca is very excited to bring the best of the best to a few of the many alpaca shows in and around New England. Alpaca shows are a terrific way to learn about owning and breeding alpaca, or to attend seminars that are often held at the shows. Please look for us in the farm display and stall-areas of the following shows to meet our own personal show-stoppers. If you know you will be attending one of the shows, you can call us for our cell numbers for easier contact. See you in the ring!
Island Alpaca 2010 Show/Fair Schedule:
The North American Alpaca Show: West Springfield, MA, April 2-3, 2010. Barnstable County Fair: East Falmouth, MA, July 17 & 18, 2010. Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair: West Tisbury, MA, August 19-22, 2010. The Big E, Alpaca Show: West Springfield, MA, TBD Sept. 28-30, 2010. New England Coastal Classic Alpaca Show: Worcester, MA, November TBD, 2010. Empire Alpaca Extravaganza: Syracuse, NY, October TBD, 2010. Green Mountain Alpaca Fall Spectacular: Essex Junction, VT, TBD, Nov. 2010.
A SURFING ALPACA?.jpg)
Please know that we at Island Alpaca have the highest respect for these wonderful animals, and do not advocate putting an alpaca on a surfboard. Click image to watch video. Pianezzi, the alpacas owner and surfer, had slowly introduced his alpaca to the water over the past several months, and that despite criticism from people who say that it is cruel to put a mountain-dwelling animal in the sea, Pianezzi, who has trained dogs to surf for over a decade, says that Pisco the alpaca is getting used to the water. "The pet is slowly mastering the art of surfing although has a tendency to dive headlong into the sea once they get going - but fortunately he wears a lifejacket."
November 14, 2009, Winters Farmer's Market a Big Hit: Island Alpaca AttendsClick here to see read the full story in the Martha's Vineyard Gazette. Next winter market, December 13, 2009.  October 2009, Island Alpaca Visits Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Island Alpaca Farm was invited for a return visit, to introduce our alpaca to those who were not able to visit our farm. Our alpacas "Moshup" and "Simba's Kingsley" were well received with the help of Phoenix Russell, and Philippe Morin.
October 2-4, Big Wins @ the Big E Island Alpaca Farm once again walks away with not just one Championship, but two! Our male, CT Estrada, does not cease to amaze us. This year he won, in a class of 2+year olds, and he, just a few days before his third birthday. (Estrada, being the oldest in his class by no less than 9 months!). QR Madigan, also wins, a Reserve Championship.
August 2009, Awaiting a visit from the Obama'sClick here to see Island Alpaca representative, Phoenix Russell, at the West Tisbury Farmer's market, in anticipation of their visit!
August 2009, Alpaca & Knitters Awarded Blues for Fiber Arts in the Agricultural Fair! 
Thanks to the many talented Fiber Artists at Island Alpaca, Island Alpaca Farm won many ribbons, 14 blues in total! BLUES: Karen Malizia, with three blues: "Child Sweater, Color Pattern", for "Infant Sweater Set, 2 pieces+", and for "Gloves". Jane Stern, two blue ribbons: "Plain sweater" and "Baby Cardigan". Judy Foss with four blues: "Infant Sweater", again for "Fancy Stitch", and for "Childs Vest", and finally for "Knit Scarf". Julie Wheeler with two blues for her felted Alpaca hat, and felted item (also a hat.) Congratulations to all of our other ribbon winners, Anna Marie D'Addarie, Marlene Distephano, Sarah Gillig, Diane Oster, and Luise Ronchetti.
BLUES: Additional blues given to our prized female, Archangel's Arias, for her fleece, and for our attending alpaca, Marle a blue, and best in show, and Ansel, both males.
June, 2009, Island Alpaca Does it Again:
Five Blue Ribbon/First Place Awards at the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association National Fiber Arts/World Conference Island Alpaca Co. is very proud to represent some of our country's best knitters and spinners, and offer products hand-crafted from these following artists. We also feature many other talented individuals not entered in this competition. We hope you can visit our farm to truly appreciate their work.
Felted Category, Hand-Knit Mittens by Anna Marie D'Addarie.
Novelty Skein, Island Alpaca fiber from Island Alpaca "Jackpot".
Hand-Knit Scarf, by Diane Oster, using Island Alpaca Suri-alpaca, "Marle" yarn.
Hand-Spun Yarn, Two-ply, by Philippe Morin.
Hand-Knit Baby Layette/Sweater Set, (sweater, hat, & booties) crafted using Island Alpaca "Pietro", by Karen Malizia.
Congratulations to all!
New Cria on the Block, May 2, 2009 Welcoming our first alpaca of the season. A healthy, sprite, grey female (the Islands first grey cria) out of our "Margeaux" and "Magic's Talon" (The first offspring for both) Here she is less than 1-hour old. Visit our photo gallery for more images! Margeaux has proven to be a very attentive mom from the start. (Special notice: Margeaux is for sale with her cria at her side. Please visit Margeaux's page to learn more.)
The Results Are In: April 25 & 26, 2009 
Island Alpaca takes a Res. Championship and a Blue Ribbon for Estrada's Fleece at the MAPACA (Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Show) in Pennsylvania. FIVE additional Blues were earned for our fiber-art entries! Our herd sire, "Estrada" ceases to amaze us; this was his 15th blue ribbon and 4th championship banner. Anna Marie D'Addarie, with her hand-knit, Island Alpaca Felted Mittens, with 91 out of a possible 100 points! Judith Foss, and her hand-knit, Island Alpaca Grey Vest, made out of Zora and Ansel's yarn, again, 91 out of a possible 100 points. Philippe Morin, Hand-spun Yarn, Island Alpaca Samuel Bellamy 100% Alpaaca Yarn, Mill Spun, Island Alpaca Pietro 80% Alpaca & 20% Silk Yarn, Mill Spun, scoring a 93 points out of a possible 100!
Shear Delight: April 25, 2009
Island Alpaca extends a generous "Thank You" to all that attended our Second Annual Alpaca Shearing Day, Saturday, April 25, 2009.  Shearing Day at Island Alpaca was a huge success. On a beautifully warm, sunny day we sheared over 40 alpaca. They were thrilled with the work of our expert team, and are now cool and comfortable creatures pronking in our pastures! Thank you to all of the people that attended and made it such a fun event! Please find coverage on the event, along with a video-clip on our good friends, The Martha's Vineyard Times Site.
We are especially happy to announce the WINNERS of our raffle; Marsha Gressler, of Oak Bluffs, won our new book for children: "Blue-Ribbon Alpaca", Matthew Barton, (11 y/o), of Vineyard Haven, won our Alpaca Fur Bear, and Kendra Bakerink, of New Bedford, won our $50 Island Alpaca gift certificate. Congratulations to all!! A very special thanks to our shearers, Matt and Jozi Best, our many volunteers, friends, and staff members for their assistance; Kathleen Byrnes, Toni Chute, Anna Marie D'Addarie, Sandy D'Amico, Barbara Dutton, Luke Eldridge Bartkus, Philippe, Annabelle Grob, Johanna Leazott, Caila and Mael Morin, Charles and Luise Ronchetti, Ralph Stewart, Douglas Touart, Phoenix Russell, Pricilla Sinatra, Pat Waring, Heather Welch, and Erica Wilkinson. We are forever grateful, and could not have done it without you! Shearing Fun Facts: Alpacas are shorn just once a year in the Spring. Typically each alpaca produces up to 10 pounds of fiber depending on age, genetics, environment and nutrition. Alpacas can be shorn standing up or stretched out on the ground or a table. We prefer to stretch them out, tying the front legs together and the back legs together. This method allows the shearer to work faster and get a more even cut, it is less stressful for the alpaca this way. Shearing time varies greatly by the expertise of the shearer, but generally 10 minutes per animal is standard. Alpacas are shorn with the same clippers that are used for sheep. Blades have to be sharpened and oiled often. Because alpacas don't have natural lanolin oils like sheep, the clippers need to be oiled more frequently. We hope you can join us for our Third Annual Shearing Day in 2010!
February 6-8,2009: Island Alpaca has the Blues! This year, Island Alpaca participated in the 2009 Symposium and Fleece Event in Syracuse NY, by submitting two of our alpaca fleeces or "blankets" (the prime fibers shorn from the alpacas back), as well as some of our locally-made yarn products. Our success continues with our show entries, as we were very  proud to be awarded blue ribbons for each our fleece submissions; our alpacas CT Estrada, and Angelina. Fleece is judged for fineness and handle, its brightness, crimp and density as well as lack of medulation and cleanliness. What was most amazing is this is the third blue ribbon Estrada has taken home for this past years fleece alone, making it his thirteenth blue ribbon! We were also awarded a blue ribbon for a hand-spun skein by Philippe Morin, a blue ribbon for a pair of Island Alpaca yarn-felted mittens by Anna Marie D'Addarie, and yet another blue ribbon for a baby sweater set made with Island Alpaca "Pietro" yarn, hand-knit by Karen Malizia. Congratulations to all!
December 2008: Gift Certificate Contest WinnersIsland Alpaca Farm is happy to announce two lucky winners this year. Instead of the planned one winner, for our $100 Gift Certificate Holiday Drawing for those that have signed on to our E-Club, E-Newsletter List. Randi Lee Hadley of Vineyard Haven (shown on the right with Island Alpaca herd member "Hottie") was the first winner selected randomly from the drawing. Randi Hadley is a private cook and personal assistant on Island, with over twenty years experience in her field assisting many elders and others on island. Not knowing that Randi was related to one of the alpaca farm members Island Alpaca Farm selected a second, additional winner.  Ernie Dewing of Chappaquiddick. (Shown to the left with Island Alpaca herd member, Margeaux). Ernie, is the founder of Reptile Recording Studio a writer, keyboardist and vocalist with the band Propergander. Currently Ernie Is producing a CD for his son Avery, a writer, guitarist and vocalist. To enter the drawing for the next $100 Island Alpaca Gift Certificate, to be held this May, visit the farm or our home page and sign up for our quarterly E-newsletters for your chance to win.
September 2008: Martha's Vineyard Gazette
Heather Welch of Island Alpaca Co. has recently appeared in person to receive her award for winning a state-wide competition the 2009 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest. Two of her photographs have been published in the 2009 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar. (Calendar is Free with any online purchase of $20 or more!)
The contest and calendar are sponsored by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom Inc. the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The ceremonies took place on "Massachusetts Day" Thursday September 18th at the Massachusetts Building at the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield. Copies of the calendar are available for purchase on our website and in our farm store. 
Ms Welch has also taken a first place and was awarded a blue ribbon for the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association National Conference Photo Contest. Her winning photo of Island Alpaca "Marle Strikes a Pose" is featured in the Fall Issue of Alpaca's Magazine. Other photographs submitted by the farm have been awarded a second and third place and will also appear in the magazine. To view these award winning photographs and the others in the competition please visit AOBA the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association website. Alpaca's Magazine is also available for purchase at the Island Alpaca Farm Store.
Summer 2008: Island Alpaca Visits Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Cen ter  This summer, Island Alpaca Farm was invited for an afternoon to introduce our alpaca to those who were not able to visit our farm. Our alpacas "Hottie" and "Michelangelo's David" were well received with the help of Anna Marie D'Addarie, and Philippe Morin.
August 2008: Vineyard Gazette Features Island Alpaca! This past was summer Island Alpaca Farm was featured in the Island's oldest publication, The Vineyard Gazette. Story written by Matthew Kramer. "Corporate Refugee Makes Peace Amid Fleece at Island Alpaca"
August 2008: Martha's Vineyard Life Magazine. Story by Pat Waring, photographed by Betsy Corsiglia This summer, Island Alpaca Farm was featured in Cape Cod Life's special Island magazine, Martha's Vineyard Life. A short story, that may prove fun to read!
August 2008: Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair. Thank you for visiting us at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair! This year year Island Alpaca Farm was at the fair in the Fiber Tent and it was a big success! We are so glad so many of you visited. Marle and Jackpot our very friendly and proud blue ribbon winners look forward to seeing you again next year! If you would like to see Maegan Hoover and Kelly Elverson bring a healthy dose of competition (and excitement about alpacas) to last years 146th annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, please take a experience their 3-minute video!
September, 2008:
The Equine Natural Movement Series was created in the 90's by Joesph Freeman as an extension of his practice with humans. The bodywork series release adhesions and re-balances the fascial system allowing an animal to reach beyond expected performance plateaus. Some added benefits: Heightened grace in movement, increased overall performance, quickening responses, creating more energy and viberance, adding power and efficiency, and reducing possible injury. Phoenix Russell is the youngest graduate of the Equine Natural Movement School. She is a certified practitioner of the Equine Natural Movement Series. To learn more about her practice, and what she can do for your animal, visit her website: www.holisticequinerebalancing.com.
January, 2008: Island Alpaca Visits Peru
Barbara Ronchetti, of Island Alpaca Co. was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Peru to study the alpaca of the Altiplano, with Stephen R. Purdy, DVM, Associate Professor of Veterinary Education and Director of Camelid Studies, University of Massachusetts. This program is the first undergraduate Camelid Studies Program developed to expose undergraduate and graduate students, owners, and practicing veterinarians to the latest techniques in camelid medicine, surgery, reproduction, and management. Also on the trip were Brooke Thomas, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and his wife, textile expert Shirley Thomas , Cheryl DeWitt, DVM, a neonatal specialist of and students and teaching assistants of the Camelid Studies program, Catelyn Deschen, Lindsey Morrone, and Sara Ku. Camelid Veterinary Services, Bluffton, Ohio 
Above: Dr. Thomas, the mayor of Nunoa, Dr. Purdy, Sara Ku, Lindsey Morrone, and Catelyn Deschen. In part, this trip, was to facilitate a project to provide humanitarian and camelid health aid to the people of the Peruvian Altiplano. 
Above: Children of a local rancher, Nunoa, 2008
We began the trip with a meeting with the Jane C. Wheeler a visiting professor at San Marcos University in Lima, who has studied, extensively, the origins of the alpaca. She is also the Vice President for Research, CONOPA (Coordinadora de Investigación y Desarrollo de Camélidos Sudamericanos). Also at the University of Lima, we met with Raul Rosario, president for research of CONOPA about developing student and information exchange programs, and work with Mr. Rosario to learn of the vaccines he developed in Peru for study in the United States. After a brief stay in Cusco, and a visit to Machu Picchu, we visited with Dr. Walter Bravo, at the La Raya Research Facility, and then traveled onward to a small town, Nunoa, elevation, 14,000 ft. to stay at an orphanage that Brooke Thomas had contact with from prior years, to better understand the needs of the people and to learn where we could best assist with the formation of this special project. 
Above: a gift of a hearty meal at the Nunoa Orphanage. Recipients, Catelyn Deschenes, Lindsey Morrone, and Sara Ku.
With a visit to the health care facilities, local people, alpaca ranchers, and the mayor, this project was developed.
Above: Local Nunoa shopkeeper, and knitter.
To learn more, and how you may be able to help, please visit the Nunoa Project of Peru. 
Above: Local rancher in Nunoa with his herd.
Above: Nunoa Orphanage Assistant/Host
You may also help by sending in a your tax deductible contribution to
The University of Massachusetts Camelid Studies Program: Island Alpaca Company,
C/O and Payable to the UMass Camelid Studies Program
1 Head of the Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 For more information, or to make a donation, click here or please contact: UMass Amherst Camelid Studies Program
Stephen R. Purdy, DVM, Director
UMass Hadley Farm
111 North Maple Street
Hadley, MA 01035
413-549-3820
srpurdy@vasci.umass.edu |  |
