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
Cousin Vinny
Vinny is one of our 2023 crias. He is just a stunning boy. His father is Alpacachino and Vinny's personality is exactly like his daddy. He is always into something and has energy that never quits. Vinny is the wiggliest, super charged boy on the farm. He's learned how to use those big beautiful eyes to make you forget whatever mischief he's created.
ALPACA
Daisy
Daisy had a tough time coming into this world. Our vet didn't think she would make it but boy does this little girl have determination! She fought hard and she is just a picture of health. She still has that determined personality today!
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
Eleanor Rigby
Eleanor is Chino's first daughter. She is so beautiful and elegant. She just loves her mama and hangs out with her most of the time. She is really getting friendly and loves to meet new people.
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
Goose
Goose is such a handsome fellow. His color took us by surprise! He was just a beautiful copper color but by shearing time his fiber was growing in black. What a beauty this guy is and he knows it. He's the one that runs to the fence when he sees people to show off.
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
Lorelai
Lorelai is a beauty. She is fluffy, soft, and full of life. She is best friends with our other 2024 cria, Sundown. But she is a toughy - she doesn't take anything from him without giving it back. You go girl!!
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
Ozzie
Ozzie is a cute young boy. He is one of our three 2023 crias. He's growing into a handsome young male and loves to wrestle with his buddy Vinny. His fleece is so soft and his nose so pink. You can't help but love this little guy.
ALPACA
Princess Valina
Our saddest day on the farm was the day Princess Valina passed away in August of 2023. We miss her gentle personality everyday. Thank you for letting us love you sweet girl.
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
Summer Sunshine
Summer is just a darling little girl. She is petite and has a heart nose just like her daddy. Summer is a sweetheart and has put up with a lot in her short life. She incurred an eye injury when she was just a month old and had to have her eye removed. You would never know it though. Even though she's petite, she was a fighter and healed quickly and has never missed a beat. She was up and running with the other crias in no time at all.
ALPACA
Sundown
Sundown was our first 2024 cria. He is a true delight - all personality and so energetic. He loves his mama Copper and has made best friends with our other 2024 cria, Lorelai.
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??!!
CATS
Curly, Mo, and Larry
This last October we had three barns cats join us. These little feral kitties were rescued by a wonderful local woman. She trusted us to give them a good home. They have adapted to farm life beautifully. They have become very affectionate, but still scoot away when visitors arrive. Our alpacas and kitties coexist so well!
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 20 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.