Alpaca farm provides alternative for family seeking change By Lori O' Brien Reminder Correspondent BLANDFORD It's not South America, but the Huacaya alpacas on the family-run farm of the Green family don't seem to notice as they graze in a spacious backyard on Hayden Road. During a recent Sunday morning visit to the Cobble Mountain Alpaca Farm, hosts Kevin, Sheila and their daughter, Hannah, provided a tour of their almost 3-year-old business. Kevin Green, a financial advisor, and Sheila, a teacher, decided several years ago to investigate investment opportunities and agreed upon raising alpacas. Their six female alpacas and three male alpacas are kept in separate gated pastures that are adjacent to each other behind the family's home. It's definitely a family endeavor as Hannah, 8, herself enjoys getting her hands dirty by helping Mom and Dad tend to the various needs of the alpacas. Alpacas do not require a lot of attention which makes them an ideal pet, according to Kevin Green. "They are farm animals to us," he said. Alpacas are known for being relatively inexpensive to raise, require small acreage and are trainable and friendly. The average alpaca weighs from 100 to 175 pounds and has a life span of 15 to 20 years. Also, alpacas are considered small enough to travel short distances in the family minivan and are easily handled by most people. The Greens feed their alpacas a diet of alpaca grain, hay, fresh water and choice minerals. "They make good pets," he added, as Hannah quipped, "they're cute." The Greens also describe their alpacas as being mild tempered, clean, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature. The couple also find their alpacas a "calming" presence when they sit on their deck at night to watch them. Shearing of the alpacas takes place once a year which can yield from five to 10 pounds of soft fleece. The Greens sheared their alpacas earlier this year and after minimal preparation, the fleece was ready to be spun into yarn or used to make felt. Alpaca fiber is three times warmer than sheep's wool and seven times stronger, according to Kevin Green. Another selling point of the fiber is it doesn't make one itch like wool and can be worn next to the skin. In addition, the fiber is available in 22 natural colors. For persons looking for a decidedly different gift, the Greens work with a local fiber artist, Pam Darrow, who can custom make clothing from alpaca fiber. Some of Darrow's clothing samples are kept at the Greens and include hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters. During a recent phone interview with Darrow, her enthusiasm for knitting was immediately apparent as she explained the process involved with designing and knitting her works of art. She said on average, she spins and knits up to four hours a day sometimes waking up early in the morning before the rest of her family rises to work on a project. Darrow also works with fiber farms from across the state, buying wool and fleece and creating garments that can be made to order. Darrow's family owns the Fiddlehead Spring Farm in Blandford, which breeds Icelandic sheep from Ireland. The Greens are planning an open house in late September to introduce its livestock for sale to the public. At press time, the date had not been finalized. Garments made from alpaca fiber, yarn and raw fibers will also be available for sale during the open house. The Cobble Mountain Alpaca Farm is located at 21 Hayden Road which is accessible off Route 23. Visitors are welcome to visit the farm, however, the Greens ask that persons call or email ahead for an appointment. For more information on the alpaca farm or the upcoming open house, contact the Greens at (413) 848-1499 or send an email to KTG01008@aol.com. Darrow can be contacted via email at spink4@juno.com.