Island Alpaca Sweeps Big at the "Big E" Massachusetts Eastern States Exposition! 

This past weekend, Island Alpaca Co. participated in the 2016 Alpaca Fleece Competition (Sept. 29 to October 1) and was thrilled to learn that our alpaca Marquesa took the Color Champion ...And the only Championship awarded in the show!
Drumroll please for the full report to include the rest...
Click on alpaca name for more info.
First Place!  Estrada's Lucca of Island Alpaca
(Fawn Fleece-2+ Years/Adult/Mature) This is Lucca's thirteenth Blue Ribbon... to add to his prior two Championships.
First Place!  KBA'S Boondocker
(Grey Fleece-Yearling) This is Boondockers Fourth Blue Ribbon!
First Place!  Silver Angel of Island Alpaca
(Grey Fleece-2+Years/Adult/Mature) This is Silver Angel's Eighth Blue Ribbon...
First Place!  Marquesa of Island Alpaca
(Dark Fleece-Juvi) 
CHAMPION! Marquesa of Island Alpaca 
(Dark Fleece -- out of 11 Alpaca and the only Championship awarded in the show!)
First Place! Lucca's Luciana of Island Alpaca 
(Fawn Fleece-Juvi)  
First Place!  Milo of Island Alpaca 
(Dark Fleece-2+Years/Adult/Mature) This is Milo's sixth Blue Ribbon... to add to his prior Judges Choice Fleece Award!
A "BIG T" to  Judge Arturo Pena,  Show Superintendent Peg Stephens and to the Big E Agricultural Show Staff.

ISLAND ALPACA ATTENDS MARTHA'S VINEYARD LIVING LOCAL HARVEST FEST!

Volunteers Evelyn & David, with our willing alpaca, Atticus & Hunter in tow!

Simone at the helm!

Some of our Island Alpaca "home grown" products!

On a drizzly Saturday, the first of October...  (Can't believe it is already October!) Island Alpaca Co. had the pleasure of joining many other local businesses and organizations who support island sustainability. This year's theme for Living Local was "Re-use and Recycle". The event celebrates and educates on important island issues such as; sustainable agriculture, local food advocacy and education, marine life, renewable energy, resource and land conservation and local living economies. Learn more about Living Local here! Many thanks to all of the organizers to include but not limited to: Nevette Previn, and the generous volunteers-- especially those who helped us pack in time for the evening pot-luck dinner. Hats off to staff to help make this event possible, and to those on the scene,  Rosmarie Jost and Simone Brewer, and our generous volunteers, Evelyn Brewer and David Hannon. THANK YOU!
** Sadly we were not able to bring a valuable by-product of our alpaca.. our fabulous "Alpaca Gold" Paca-Poo Fertilizer... but we do have available at our farm! 

Meditative Moment

A BIG WELCOME to Eric DeWitt our new Barn Manager @ Island Alpaca! We look forward to working with you... and thank you for sharing this photo with all of us!

Island Alpaca Cria, born July 27 is doing well! (Lunette, dam, and Lucca Sire).  Here he is photographed with our staff member Rosmarie Jost.. He is looking forward to a play-mate -- maybe if Purl has her baby soon.. expected in the next few days, so keep an eye out!
He still is without a name but it is coming soon... Stay tuned!

It's a Boy! Island Alpaca's Herd Expands

Thank you to the Gazette to helping us spread the news: Click here to read, "It's a Boy! Island Alpaca's Herd Expands"

THE TASTING TABLE VISITS MARTHA'S VINEYARD!

Enjoy a special feature about Island food, dining and culture in the Tasting Table which includes Island Alpaca! According to the new editor, Joshua David Stein, The Tasting Table features, not just the culinary side of things, but the scene-y side too! Find it here:

Nunoa, Peru Blanket Project

The blanket project was in response to the very cold temperatures in the highlands over the past several years that contribute to both animal and human mortality, especially among the young. Two remote and very high villages, one at 16,500 feet elevation, were selected for distribution. These are some of the highest human habitation sites in the Andes and being above the agricultural zone are solely dependent on their camelid products. The blanket distribution was a great success, and we have Author Morris and many others to thank!140 high quality Peruvian blankets were gratefully received by community members who arrived at the village meeting house from miles away. In the background were patches of snow and above these the receding permanent snow fields. Pumas, largely absent below near the town, come out of the hills and prey on the alpacas and vicuña, and during the birthing season condors are reported to take newborns. Clearly these folks are living on the edge as climate change is imposing increasingly unpredictable conditions on their pastoral way of life. Thanks to everyone who supported this campaign and helped spread a little warmth where the need is great!

Visiting Island Alpaca:
Arthur Morris & Valerie Calhoun

Recently Island Alpaca had the pleasure of a visit by Arthur E. Morris, a big supporter of the Nunoa Blanket project! Arthur traveled to Nunoa as part of the PSU "Human Performance Laboratory" department research funded by the U.S. Olympic Committee and Fed Gov. They spent parts of most of our summer of 1965 in Peru. Part of the research was to study the effects of altitude on athletes but we also participated in studies conducted with the PSU anthropology department and Brooke Thomas was, he believes, performing graduate study work and that resulted in our meeting in Cusco and Nunoa! Nice that they are still in touch and together support such a great cause.

 In case you did not know.. Some of the goals of the Nunoa Project: 
....to make a positive difference in the lives of herders and townspeople of the southern Peruvian highlands ...to address immediate needs through humanitarian aid and veterinary support for the animals in the region.  ...to establish self sustaining programs in the areas of support for herding families and veterinary assistance for livestock in the Department of Puño region.
To learn more: Visit: http://nunoaproject.org/

Brooke Thomas, VP of the Nunoa Project distributes alpaca blankets!