Getting Started in Alpacas
What You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First Alpaca
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Zodiac Ranch
Getting Started in Alpacas
What You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First Alpaca
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Zodiac Ranch
Thinking About Getting Alpacas?
Have you ever dreamed of having alpacas on your farm—but aren't quite sure where to begin?
Maybe you've visited an alpaca farm, fallen in love with these amazing animals, or started researching what it would take to have a herd of your own. You may be wondering:
How much land do I really need?
What kind of shelter and fencing will I need?
What do alpacas eat?
How much work are they?
What happens to all that fiber?
How do I choose my first alpacas?
Can alpacas actually be profitable?
What do I need to know before I make the investment?
Join us at Zodiac Ranch for a three-hour, small-group seminar designed to give you the practical knowledge you need to get started with alpacas.
Rather than simply sitting through a lecture, you'll have the opportunity to see, touch and work with alpacas and their fiber while learning from breeders who have been doing this for more than 20 years.
Learn From Experienced Alpaca Breeders
Linda Lundstrom and Roy Parks of Zodiac Ranch have been breeding alpacas since 2003 and currently manage a herd of approximately 60–80 alpacas.
Over the years, they have mentored many new alpaca owners as they learned the ins and outs of caring for, developing and managing their own herds.
In 2026, Zodiac Ranch was recognized as the 10th highest-ranking medium-size farm in the National Alpaca Show System.
Now Linda and Roy want to share what they've learned with the next generation of alpaca owners.
Their goal is simple: help you understand what it really takes to raise alpacas before you make the investment in animals, fencing, barns and equipment.
Three Hours of Alpaca Education & Hands-On Experience
Hour One — Getting Started in Alpacas
We'll start with the basics and answer the questions every prospective alpaca owner has.
We'll discuss:
What are alpacas?
Why raise alpacas?
What are alpacas used for?
Do alpacas really spit?
How much land do you need?
Can you own alpacas without owning a large farm?
Housing, fencing and pasture requirements
Barn and farm layout considerations
Basic farm infrastructure
What alpacas eat
Daily care
Basic health care
How many alpacas should you start with?
How to evaluate and purchase your first alpacas
The financial side of alpaca ownership
Potential income opportunities
Things we wish we had known when we started
This first hour is designed to help you determine whether alpacas are a good fit for your farm, your lifestyle and your goals.
Hour Two — It's All About the Fiber!
One of the most exciting things about owning alpacas is what you can do with the fiber they produce.
We'll explore what happens after shearing and how that beautiful fleece can become something useful, beautiful and potentially profitable.
Topics include:
Understanding an alpaca fleece
What makes a good fleece?
Huacaya vs. Suri fiber
Skirting and preparing a fleece
Washing
Carding
Felting
Needle felting
Spinning and knitting
Processing alpaca fiber
Turning your fiber into finished products
Ideas for gifts and products to sell
Examples of fiber and finished products from Zodiac Ranch
You'll get to see the fiber up close and learn how even a small number of alpacas can provide you with an interesting and rewarding fiber resource.
Hour Three — Hands-On Alpaca Care
Now it's time to get out with the animals!
This portion of the seminar is designed to give you practical experience handling alpacas safely and confidently.
You'll learn about:
Safely approaching and catching an alpaca
Haltering and leading
Handling feet
Basic grooming
Giving medications
Basic injection techniques
Recognizing normal vs. concerning behavior
Safe handling practices
Working with and training a young alpaca
And, of course, plenty of hands-on time with the alpacas!
This is your opportunity to take what you've learned in the classroom and put it into practice.
What You'll Take Home
Every participant will receive a Getting Started in Alpacas Resource Packet to help you continue learning after the seminar.
You'll leave with:
A better understanding of what alpaca ownership involves
Practical information about housing, fencing and farm setup
An introduction to alpaca nutrition and basic care
A better understanding of alpaca fiber
Hands-on experience handling alpacas
Information to help you evaluate your plans for starting a herd
A resource you can refer back to as you continue your alpaca journey
Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from people who have been raising alpacas for more than two decades.
Small Group. Personal Attention.
We're limiting the seminar to just 10 participants.
Why?
Because we want this to be an opportunity for you to ask questions, interact with the animals and get individual attention—not sit in a crowded room listening to a presentation.
Registration
$85 — One Person
$125 — Two People From the Same Farm
Spouses, partners or farm partners are welcome to attend together at the reduced two-person rate.
Payment in full is required to reserve your spot.
Because space is limited to 10 participants, registration fees are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your spot from a waiting list.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
1:00–4:00 PM
Zodiac Ranch
Only 10 spots available!
What Should I Bring?
This is a hands-on farm experience, so please come prepared to be around alpacas.
We recommend:
Comfortable farm-appropriate clothing
Closed-toe shoes or boots
Clothing appropriate for the weather
A willingness to get hands-on and ask questions!
The seminar will include time outdoors with the alpacas, so please dress accordingly.
Is This Seminar Right for Me?
YES—if you're thinking about getting alpacas but don't know where to start.
This seminar is perfect for:
Someone considering purchasing their first alpacas
New alpaca owners
Hobby farmers
Small-farm owners
Fiber artists interested in producing their own alpaca fiber
People interested in developing a small fiber herd
Anyone considering alpacas as part of a farm or agritourism business
Anyone who simply wants to learn more before making the investment
No previous alpaca experience is necessary.
What Comes Next?
This seminar is designed to give you a solid foundation in alpaca ownership.
But there is so much more to learn!
If there is enough interest, Zodiac Ranch may offer an additional seminar devoted entirely to Breeding & Birthing Alpacas.
That future session could take a much deeper dive into:
Selecting breeding stock
Understanding breeding
Managing pregnant females
Preparing for birth
What to expect during delivery
Caring for the newborn
And the many things that can happen when you're waiting for a cria to arrive!
Interested in a future Breeding & Birthing seminar? Let us know when you register!
Ready to Get Started?
If you've been thinking about alpacas, this is a great place to begin.
Come spend three hours at Zodiac Ranch learning what you need to know before you take the next step.
Getting Started in Alpacas
August 29, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Zodiac Ranch
$85 per person | $125 for two from the same farm
Only 10 participants!