When I say farmer, what image comes to your mind? I don’t mean to be stereotypical, but for me I think of farmer and I see a tall, strong man in jeans, boots, a hat, on a tractor. However, farmers come in all shapes, sizes, and wardrobes.
Katy Spears, an Alabama alpaca breeder, is what I like to think of as a non-traditional farmer. Katy and her family live and work on their farm in Fair Hope Alabama, and have around 70 alpacas. While Katy is proud to call herself a farmer, she describes the alpaca industry as something that is, “on the fringe of the ag world.”
The alpaca industry and the traditional agriculture world may differ when it comes to day-to-day happenings, but there are many shared issues and concerns that tie Katy and other alpaca breeders together to the ag industry. “Anyone involved and associated with agriculture has the same concerns- the weather, the economy, health and safety of their heard. We are similar to other livestock farmers in a lot of ways,” Spears said.
Spears and her husband got started in the alpaca industry about 10 years ago, and have been going strong since then, “I got started because I wanted to be a stay at home mom, and thought that this would not only be great opportunity for me personally, but also financially.” There are many different options to financially benefit from having alpacas, everything from selling the raw fiber to selling the animals themselves. Beyond the financial benefits, Spears has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a business that lends itself to her whole family being involved. “The alpaca industry is a real family atmosphere. Even the largest alpacas farmers are mostly family owned and operated,” Spears added.
Spears has established quite a presence for herself and her farm online, and has seen positive results. Since becoming active on the Internet and with social media, Spears has seen an increase in fiber and fiber product sales, and has even sold some alpacas from the connections she has made. “For a product like mine, where a lot of people don’t know much about it, social media is very effective because it allows me to put out my message, and whoever wants it can then take it,” Spears said.
For more information on everything alpaca, check out these links:
The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association- Everything you need to know about alpacas, fiber, and fashion
Alpaca Farm Girl- Katy’s blog about alpaca lifestyle
Fair Hope Alpacas- Katy and Steve’s farm website
If you know a farmer that deserves the spotlight, let us know! Email us at interact@fastline.com
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