Meet the Farm Family

OWNER
Becky
For much of her life, Becky has wanted to live on a farm. Upon retiring from teaching, her dream finally came true. Becky has been an educator in Traverse City for over 23 years and says this has been a natural transition. She loves teaching children and now she would love to educate others about farm life with her beautiful camelids. Alpacas are incredibly gentle, peaceful, and curious. It's impossible to not fall in love with them. What an exciting journey and learning experience this has been for her and her husband Bob. They are so grateful to have been able share this experience with their family and friends. Now she is looking forward to sharing it with you!

OWNER
Bob
Bob has been a builder and in construction for over 40 years. He loves planning and completing projects. He has truly found his calling on the farm. When he and his wife bought this farm it was an intimidating collection of projects. The farmhouse needed a total makeover, the barns were old and in need of lots of love, and there were many pastures to be fenced. He knew he wanted this 5 acre paradise to become a “working farm” again. These animals have stolen his heart and he can’t imagine his life without them. Who knew that this huge project would turn into his best accomplishment yet!

PARTNER
Karen
A Traverse City transplant from southern Ohio via Chicago, Karen was a CPA and has worked with a local accounting firm for 20+ years. Stepping away from multi-state tax situations and into sharing an alpaca herd with Bob and Becky has been an interesting walk beyond one’s comfort zone. Although far from hands-on on a daily basis, she enjoys helping when needed, introducing folks to the alpacas and participating in management of the herd and fiber processing – and, learning. She also maintains a tourist home license welcoming guests into her home and to the beautiful Traverse City area.

ALPACA
Alpacachino “Chino”
What a beauty! He is a charmer. He’s got the look and the girls just love him. We are excited to see the crias he produces. His fleece is amazing.

ALPACA
Athena
She is one of our oldest ladies. She is Electra’s mom and has a kind, loving personality. She’s patient - she has to be with such a wild daughter. She has really learned to trust and love us. What a sweet girl.

ALPACA
Bellatrix
Our quiet loner. She’s such a little beauty and keeps mostly to herself. Dark colored and mysterious. She has made good strides and is beginning to mingle with the herd more often.

ALPACA
Bernie
His official name is “Brutus”. It just doesn’t fit. He acts all big and scary, but he is just a big teddy bear. We renamed him Bernie. He’s been a great addition to our male herd. He always reminds those younger boys who the oldest is!

ALPACA
Bliss
The color of this girl - wow! Looks like caramel. She has come so far since we’ve gotten her. She’s stoic and solid but her personality is beginning to shine through. She’s sweet and has incredibly thick fiber.

ALPACA
Carl
What a little beauty. He has quickly become Maverick’s best buddy. Which has been perfect because that is exactly why we got him! We couldn’t have asked for a better pairing. They do everything together - eat, run, graze, sleep, look over the fences - absolutely everything. We love this new addition to our herd - a perfect fit. He is just a sweetheart!

ALPACA
Cocoa Latte
She is the “lady” of the group. She is so delicate and regal. She has eyes to die for - big, round, dark and expressive with such long lashes. She’s patient, kind, and just so sweet.

ALPACA
Copper Penny
“Best momma” award goes to this girl. She is so laid back and patient - at least when she’s not pregnant. She’s always up close to us and interested in what we are doing. Her laid back personality and beautiful fiber has been passed on to her little boy “Maverick”.

ALPACA
Dancing Angel
Aptly named. What a sweetheart. She has eyes that would melt anyone’s heart. She fits in and doesn’t bother anyone. Quiet and curious.

ALPACA
Diamond Lucy
She was the first cria born on our farm. She is full of spunk and is always trying to communicate. She is the ultimate “hummer”. Always has something to say and is always checking out what is going on. Just a little beauty.

ALPACA
Electra
What a hoot she is. Loves to do her “fancy dance” at food time but truthfully I think it is to push all the other alpacas out of the way. She acts all big and tough, but oh what a lover. She is always up for a neck rub and sometimes she does the rubbing.

ALPACA
Fantasia
She’s our funny little girl. Her looks are unique as is her personality. Always interested in what’s happening. She’s a little doll.

ALPACA
Lilliana
She is our “sassy lassy”! Just always running, jumping, and full of excitement. She always acts like she’s never had a bite of food and is the first to the feed buckets. She’s a little beauty and we are hoping for some crias from her with as high quality of fiber as hers.

ALPACA
Northern Maverick
The youngest of the herd. Maverick is sweet, loving, and just an old soul. He marches to his own beat which is usually quite slow. He has been a wonderful addition to our herd. Just a little “lovebug” that has stolen our hearts.

ALPACA
Princess Valina
She was originally our big girl that stayed mostly to herself. She now has lost some weight, is definitely more active, and is becoming very personable. She’s got an inquisitive side we are now seeing and we just love her.

ALPACA
Rubio Caramello
He is our little stinkpot. He’s always involved in whatever is happening. He just has to put his nose into everything. Always sneaking up behind to see what’s going on and nibbling on things. Anxious to see his crias since he has stunning fleece.

ALPACA
Tapioca Kisses
She’s a winner. She has had two beautiful crias. One came with her when we bought her (Rubio) and she gave us our first farm cria (Lucy). She’s a good mom and loves children. She lets them pet her head (which alpacas normally hate) and they can lay all over her.

ALPACA
Zinnia
What a heart melter she is. So pretty, so quiet, so trusting. She is always in the middle of it all but never in the way. We love her dearly and she has produced some beautiful fiber for us.

CAT
KC
Our resident barn cat (that lives in house). He does an amazing job keeping the critters at bay. He goes out at night and does his hunting and then comes in the house and sleeps all day. Isn’t that the perfect cat??!!

CHICKENS
The Hen House
What an adventure this has been. I always wanted chickens when we lived in our subdivision but my husband said no. Now we have the farm and we have 23 of them. I like to tease him and say “it would have been easier (and cheaper) to get me a couple of chickens then buying me a farm” Hahaha . . . but we just love our farm and wouldn’t change it for the world!

DOG
Lily
Well, she is the queen bee. A little tiny yorkie that rules the roost. Truly she is a snuggler and absolutely loves kids - well also anyone with a lap. She came into our lives when we weren’t looking for another dog and has added so much. Sometimes gifts come when you least expect them.

DOG
Murphy
Our border collie. He is such a border collie - loves to herd, run, and have a job to do all of the time. He’s our rescue we got when he was 10 months old. Those first 10 months of his life started out pretty rough but he has the best life now. Our daughters trained him through 4-H and they love that boy to the moon and back. What a dog! He’s smarter than any dog we have ever known! He is now 15 years old and just keeps going - slower yes, but he hasn’t lost his enthusiasm. He’s finally living on a farm where he belongs!! He truly fits this place - it was made for him.

DOG
Oliver
He’s our herding granddog in training. He loves the farm and runs like the wind. We just love to have him visit. “OIlie” is getting to know the alpacas and practicing his social skills. We thought Murphy was smart - well he has met his match. This boy learns in a matter of seconds and keeps wanting more. He is so energetic and wants to please. A true border mix!

DOG
Sora
She is a runner - so incredibly fast. Loves to sniff, hunt, and dig. What better place for her than a farm?! She’s a little love bug but very wary of strangers. She loves the alpacas and chickens and loves to just be outside. Her daddy is her very favorite person in the world - she just loves putting her head in his lap and taking a nap.

LLAMA
Rainbow
Our resident llama. She is the leader of the herd. Everyone listens to Rainbow and she takes her guard role very seriously. She was our first animal and has a very special place in our hearts. She is a real beauty so we just had to name the farm after her.