The alpaca excitement began in December 2004 for Hahn Farm.  Lolita (4 years old), Giselle (6 years old) and Anita (11 years old) came from Massachusetts to live on our farm in the Hudson Valley.  Giselle gave birth to a male on June 4, 2005.  We named him Gus.  Anita gave birth to a male also on July 31, 2005.  We named him Oliver.  Butler, Cowboy and Betsy Ross, all  3 years old, joined the family in May 2006.

Alpacas, members of the camelid family are originally from the Andes Mountains.  They have a very thick fleece to provide protection from the harsh climate in the mountains.  We are raising our alpacas for their wonderful fiber which is prized by handspinners and knitters. 

Hats, scarves and sweaters are just a few items that are produced by the fine fiber.  There are 22 natural colors of fiber.  Here on the farm we have black, charcoal, white and brown; all slightly different.

The fiber process begins with the shearing in May.  Our eight alpacas gave us 36 lbs. of fiber this year.  After shearing the fiber is sorted, washed and carded and put in roving (a twisted sliver of wool).  This can be done manually or with the aid of milling machines.  We have it done mechanically by a local mill.  Mary and her staff at Hudson Valley Sheep & Wool company, located here in Dutchess County, have done a fabulous job for us.  The fiber can be sold at this point to handspinners or it can be mechanically spin into skeins for knitting and crocheting.

Anita and our newest arrival Rosie are planning a visit to the farm animal exhibit during the Fall Festival this October.  Come visit them and see why, as Tom says, "the excitement never ends!"

Currently available: Pencil roving for handspinning.  We have skeins of natural and hand dyed alpaca yarn.  For more information visit us at the farm stand or call (845) 266-5042.