Have you ever been to an alpaca farm? If not, add it to your bucket list immediately. They are so goofy and friendly, and they don't have any top teeth, so they can't truly bite you. The little goofballs love carrots, so you can feed them all day (they're quite selfish), and if you're brave enough (I wasn't), you can hold a carrot with your mouth and they'll give you a little slobbery kisses

I'm lucky enough that I live about 15 minutes from the L & R Alpaca Haven Farm and it's only $10 for an hour visit (carrots included!). It's fairly private, so there aren't a ton of visitors there at once, and the farm owners will specially walk you around, answer literally any questions you may have, and tell you all about the alpacas and each one's individual story.

We visited in May, just after the alpacas were sheared for warmer weather, so they all have some funky haircuts. I definitely want to return when it's a little cooler and they're all goofy fluffballs.
www.apaperarrow.com/2019/07/a-visit-to-atlanta-area-alpaca-farm.html
This particular farm is about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta in Douglasville, GA (which is home to many of the Stranger Things' filming locations). Our visit to the alpaca farm was the main attraction of the day, but we also grabbed breakfast, lunch, and a treat. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for a few foods recommendations for the area, too.
For complete blog along with photos:
www.apaperarrow.com/2019/07/a-visit-to-atlanta-area-alpaca-farm.html

About Alpacas
Originally from South America, alpacas live on the Andes Mountains. They can be found throughout Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina where they are used for their meat, fiber, and leather. However, it is their fiber that has been valued and cherished thousands of years. Home on harsh, high mountain plains alpaca are very hardy and agile. Their dense, heavy fiber makes a perfect coat to protect them from severe weather and long winters.

There are two types of alpacas – the Huacaya (wah-ki-ah) and the Suri (sir-e). The suri’s fiber grows quite long and forms silky, pencil-like locks. The huacaya has a shorter, dense, crimpy fleece, giving it a teddy bear appearance. They average about 36? tall at the withers and weigh about 150 pounds.

Alpacas live for up to 20 years, so they are a long-term investment. They have a long reproductive life and produce fleece for their entire lives. Their gestation period is eleven to thirteen months, and they have a single cria. Rarely there can be twins but seldom will either survive. If either does, it will most likely not be able to reproduce.

Perfect for a family farm, alpaca are gentle and easy to handle. They are safe even for younger children to work with as they do not bite. This is a venture the whole family can partictpate in and enjoy together.

It is our vision that alpaca can become a vital part of the Douglas County economy. Well suited to the land and environment they are also environmentally friendly, protecting the land that we love.


* Alpaca have soft padded feet. This leaves pasture undamaged and usable for years.
* They have no top front teeth, so they are gentle grazers.
* The alpaca does not usually eat or destroy trees.
* The average alpaca only eats four pounds of food a day.
* Although they need a regular fresh water supply, alpaca do not require abundant amounts of water.
* The herd deposits their manure in one or two communal dung piles in the pasture, making clean up easier.
* Alpaca manure is a fantastic fertilizer, considered “black gold” to some!
* One good acre of pasture can support up to ten alpaca.
* Alpaca require minimal fencing as they do not challenge it.
* Adequate fencing is a must to keep them safe from predators.
* They will produce four to eight (or more) pounds of fleece a year.
* Their fleece produces 87 to 95 percent cleaner fiber compared to sheep’s wool and has no lanolin so is much more tolerant to even the most sensitive skin.

Is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of alpacas in our great state. Their mission:
In Georgia you can find everything from your first alpaca to your next ...as well as fiber, fiber processing and finished products made from the fiber of our alpacas. And whether you are brand new to alpacas or an experienced breeder, we offer educational opportunities and support, not to mention good old southern hospitality.
http://www.georgia-alpaca.com/farms/

L & R Alpaca Haven Farm began a few year after we moved to a house with 4 acres that had a two stall barn. After discussions with the family about getting some farm animals, my daughter saw a Facebook post about someone giving away a male alpaca. Our initial attempt at acquiring him was unsuccessful. Shortly thereafter, the alpaca’s owner decided to give up their entire herd of eight! After a conversation with my husband, we decided to jump in and try our hand at alpaca farming. We acquired the entire herd in July of 2016 and have since added more, including several born at our farm. The love and passion we have for animals made it an easy decision that we have never regretted. (By the way, that original alpaca is TJ, who is every visitor’s favorite!)
Since then, we have moved to a 25 acre property with more room and better facilities to grow our herd.

​Alpacas are such gentle, peaceful animals and are a true joy to be around.  Regardless of your age “Alpacas make you smile” is what I tell everyone and thus, so far, no one has ever disagreed! We absolutely LOVE our alpacas. 

For more information, contact: