AlpacaNation Q&A with Angel Tree Farm Alpacas
Jay and Carol Engels & Mal and Ellie  Hunter   ~   554 Scofield Rd., Groton, NY 13073   ~   607-533-3608


Question:  How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  When the Engels family moved into their dream 1860's farm house, their daughter Ashley saw the perfect outline of an angel in the silver maple tree overlooking the farm. At that point, we knew there was an angel watching over what five years later was to become Angel Tree Farm Alpacas.

Question:  What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  First and foremost, you must research alpacas and visit, visit, and visit farms! People who have a shared love of alpacas and the industry are always anxious to share their extensive knowledge and personal experiences. They will be of immeasurable help to you. It will be up to the individual to develop their own philosophy and opinions regarding the raising of alpacas.

Question:  Tell us about yourself...

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  After hearing about the joy of owning, raising, and breeding alpacas, the Engels' and Hunter families formed a partnership in order to provide the best care for their newly acquired alpacas. Today the two families share the care of the alpacas on a daily basis, from full technical and basic medical care right down to tender hugs and kisses.

Question:  How long have you been in the alpaca business?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  Although our interest in the alpaca business began as a financial venture, we fell in love with alpacas when we began researching and visiting alpaca farms in the summer of 2004. It was at that point that we purchased our first alpacas from a supportive local farm and we hope that we can be of likewise support to individuals who come to us with an interest in alpacas.

Question:  What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  When we first decided to raise alpacas, we researched alpacas extensively. We also talked to many alpaca owners during our many visits to alpaca farms.

Question:  Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  Today, after our aquisition of alpaca knowledge, we would take more time to consider the personality of each individual alpaca being purchased. We would learn from our experience of buying from a medium/large herd with strong herd instints as opposed to alpacas from smaller farms, who are more used to being individually handled.

Question:  What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  Unlike other large alpaca farms, Angel Tree Farm is a small, family owned and operated farm in our own backyard and barns. We continue on a daily basis to improve our barns and fields for the best interest of our alpacas as well as continue to research best practices in the field.

Question:  What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  The fleece and fiber industry is one that also needs research when developing your direction concerning this aspect of alpaca production. Although it is misleading when people in the industry speak of the value of raw alpaca fiber, once you develop your fleece management program, it will be only one aspect of your profits that will be used to reimburse your investment in the alpaca. A greater return on your investment will come through the production of crias from your females and maidens.

Question:  What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  The most important thing Angel Tree Farm has learned regarding breeding is to breed with quality sires. You must be very selective when choosing the sires in order to improve the quality and value of the resulting cria. Take advantage of breedbacks with larger farms who have valuable herdsires with multiple proven confirmation and quality from shows in the form of blue ribbons.

Question:  How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?

Angel Tree Farm Alpacas:  As a partership, we hope to combine our resources to continue to grow our farm and business by improving barns, pastures, and alpaca quality. We will continue to breed with high quality herdsires to improve our crias on an ongoing basis. We plan to become more active in the showing aspects of alpacas in order to develop our own quality herdsires.