Wisconsin has a secret. A furry, intelligent, three-stomached secret.
Welcome to LondonDairy Alpaca Ranch. Nestled away in Two Rivers, owners Wade Gease and Kevin Stoer have been breeding and selling colorful alpacas since 1997.
Not exactly sure what an alpaca is?
The important thing to note: "It's not a llama and it's not a sheep," jokes Gease. Rather, alpacas originate from South America, mainly Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Here, these 36-inch-tall, llama look-a-likes developed their bulky physiques. "They were evolved at altitudes of 10 to 14 thousand feet, so Mother Nature had to give them extra physical dimensions and that extra degree of insulation to survive," he says.
It wasn't until 1984 that the first alpaca planted its prong-like feet into American soil. From there the industry has continued to grow. Today there are over 120,000 of the timid, yet curious critters registered in the United States.
Stoer started the LondonDairy herd in late 1996. The exoticness of the animal, and "allure of the alpaca," attracted Gease to the idea. All of their care and hard work has turned the slow growing, 40-acre business into one of the largest, most well respected ranches in the state.
"They are so cute," says Gease. "Besides their eye appeal, they're a relatively easy animal to maintain."
Join the farm for National Alpaca Farm Days, September 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for an opportunity to experience the alpaca up close. For two days, learn all there is to know about the mysterious creatures. "The best way to learn about these animals is to meet them in person," says Cindy Berman, director of public relations at the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA).
Besides being remarkable animals to use for showing and breeding, alpacas have another valuable attribute - their fiber. "Their fleece is proven to be one of the strongest natural fibers and it has one of the highest insulating qualities," says Gease, who is also the only AOBA certified alpaca judge in Wisconsin.
Inside Alpaca Threads & Fiber Studio, the gift shop portion of LondonDairy Alpacas, customers will find an array of alpaca items including: socks, scarves, mittens, rugs, hats, alpaca yarn and even teddy bears.
So what's the big deal about alpaca fiber? For starters, it's pretty soft. "We can have something soft and supple to the skin yet keeps you quite warm," Gease explains. Michael Isabell, a customer of LondonDiary, boasts on the ranch's site that the yarn is so soft and smooth it "spins like butter."
In addition, alpaca products are wrinkle resistant, water repellant and naturally hypoallergenic. Alpacas are free of lanolin glands, which produce a wax-like substance that can be potentially bothersome to the skin. It's incredibly soft nature can be felt or worn by literally anyone without irritation.
Lisa O'Neill, a customer of LondonDairy, took her finance team to visit the ranch and agrees that the products are luxurious. "One of our team members purchased shawls in bright pink as gifts for her bridesmaids for her upcoming wedding," she says. "They were as soft as cashmere and in lovely bright colors."
Even the alpacas themselves seemed to draw interest from O'Neill. "They are very friendly, soft and kind natured," she says.
Even alpaca pellets are useful. "Alpaca manure is phenomenal for growing anything," says Gease. "It's PH balanced, so you can incorporate it right into your flower beds or gardens and you don't have to worry about it burning."
No need to feel greedy for taking any. With the 90 alpacas currently residing on the ranch, there's plenty to go around. "We've got a large pile so if anyone wants to come, they can come and get some," Gease laughs.
For those unavailable on National Alpaca Farm Days, contact the ranch to set up an appointment to meet the gift - or in this case, animal, that keeps on giving. Visits to the gift shop are on appointment basis, but most products are available for purchase online.
LondonDairy Alpacas & Alpacas Threads and Fiber Studio
6827 State Hwy 147, Two Rivers
920.793.4165, londondairyalpacas.com