Links & Resources

Link: www.naafp.us/

NAAFP is an innovative cooperative, helping alpaca fiber produces to maximize profit on their annual harvest of alpaca fiber.  With Robin Kuhl at the helm, lots of vision drives the work of product development, coupled with marketing sense.  Robin and Carrie Hull have developed their own method of fiber grading and sorting. For quality control purposes, all the fiber used in NAAFP products are certified sorted by those trained or certified in their method.  Really an exciting organization!

Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America

Link: www.afcna.com

AFCNA is , I think, a brave group!  They have weathered several storms, corrected mistakes, and taken lots of criticism constructively--and they are on track now, it seems, to produce and sell at a profit alpaca fiber products made from fiber contributed by members.  Check them out yourself, talk to others.  We think this organization is worth supporting. 

Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, Inc.

Link: www.alpacainfo.com

The first alpacas were imported into the United States in 1984. During the several years that followed that first importation, these original Alpaca owners began to meet and discuss the formation of an association. On June 17, 1988, at Shanty Creek Lodge in Bellaire, Michigan, 38 people gathered in a "special meeting" to discuss the formation (including by-laws and articles of incorporation) of what is now known as the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, Inc. (AOBA). The basic by-laws were approved in October of 1988, and finally filed in September of 1990. In June of 1991, the Internal Revenue Service, under 501c(5) granted the association a non-profit status.

Link: www.alpacaregistry.net

The Alpaca Registry lends strong credibility to the Alpaca Industry through it's careful use of DNA in registering alpacas and validating lineage.  Plus, their website offers a wealth of information useful in doing research prior to breeding and animal purchases.  There is no better place to begin to familiarize yourself with alpaca pedigrees, gain reproductive information, or investigate progeny and siblings. Registering your own animals and transferring ownership of sold animals is a snap.  On the off chance you have a more difficult problem or question, though, I've always been really pleased with the help ARI staff provide by phone.

Camelidynamics; Alpaca Handling and Training

Link: www.camelidynamics.com

Marty McGee Bennett is one of the best alpaca and llama handlers in the business.  Her books and videos are informative, her workshops great.  We've learned a lot, our animals have benefitted, and the weekend events are a great place to make connections with other breeders.  Marty has developed a training program to allow others to practice and teach her methods.  Check out the website!

Because we understand the importance of excellent nutrition for health in all living things, we were excited to discover Dynamite products, and have chosen to become a distributor of these healthful, intelligent products.  To the best of our knowledge, the mill in Idaho that produces Dynamite products is the only urea-free, anti-biotic-free, meat and bone meal free and unnatural preservative-free feed mill in the USA.  (What is NOT in a product matters as well!)