The close of 2012 brings with it the end of year 4 of our 5 year plan and the opening of yet another new chapter in our rural adventure. After many months of planning and preparation, we’re excited about our decision to start a natural fibre processing mill on the farm. We are now anxiously awaiting the delivery of the equipment. Needless to say, it has been a busy year.
Our farm store, Gallery 109 opened for business in February and along with our own luxury alpaca products, also showcases a variety of unique one of a kind pieces from local artisans. Aldo’s shearing business continues to grow each year as the local alpaca herds grow; shearing 200 alpacas this year!
Never content to sit still, major barn renovations overtook the remainder of the year, in anticipation of the Grand Valley Fibre Company Inc. We effectively transformed the ‘boys’ barn into a functional processing facility and relocated the boys into what is now a ‘co-ed’ barn, following our first ever group gelding event. Sorry boys!
Besides our participation at Ag Education Days for both Grand Valley and Milton, we joined the Dufferin County Town and Country Farm Tour Committee in an effort to become more engaged within our local farming community.
Our kids continue to support our ventuure anyway they can and Risa is invaluable as ‘herd master’ during breaks from her studies. She does a wonderful job of managing the breeding and genetics of the herd and is now an expert in neonatal care.
I continue to pursue informal learning in all things fibre, still working on my knitting skills, dabbling in spinning, weaving and rug hooking. I have yet to master my circular sock machine although in theory I know what I’m supposed to do. Along the way, I’ve been blessed to have met some fabulous people with an amazing amount of talent.
Our farming skills got a boost with the purchase of a tractor for me and some additional farm implements for more efficiency and inspite of the lack of rain, squash, pumpkin and egg sales boomed.
We welcomed many friends, both old and new, on the farm, some for the first time and others back to check out our latest projects. Its always fun to stop and have visit so if you are in the area or just looking for a day out in the country, please stop by.
As always, we wish everyone a very healthy, prosperous and safe new year!
Our farm store, Gallery 109 opened for business in February and along with our own luxury alpaca products, also showcases a variety of unique one of a kind pieces from local artisans. Aldo’s shearing business continues to grow each year as the local alpaca herds grow; shearing 200 alpacas this year!
Never content to sit still, major barn renovations overtook the remainder of the year, in anticipation of the Grand Valley Fibre Company Inc. We effectively transformed the ‘boys’ barn into a functional processing facility and relocated the boys into what is now a ‘co-ed’ barn, following our first ever group gelding event. Sorry boys!
Besides our participation at Ag Education Days for both Grand Valley and Milton, we joined the Dufferin County Town and Country Farm Tour Committee in an effort to become more engaged within our local farming community.
Our kids continue to support our ventuure anyway they can and Risa is invaluable as ‘herd master’ during breaks from her studies. She does a wonderful job of managing the breeding and genetics of the herd and is now an expert in neonatal care.
I continue to pursue informal learning in all things fibre, still working on my knitting skills, dabbling in spinning, weaving and rug hooking. I have yet to master my circular sock machine although in theory I know what I’m supposed to do. Along the way, I’ve been blessed to have met some fabulous people with an amazing amount of talent.
Our farming skills got a boost with the purchase of a tractor for me and some additional farm implements for more efficiency and inspite of the lack of rain, squash, pumpkin and egg sales boomed.
We welcomed many friends, both old and new, on the farm, some for the first time and others back to check out our latest projects. Its always fun to stop and have visit so if you are in the area or just looking for a day out in the country, please stop by.
As always, we wish everyone a very healthy, prosperous and safe new year!
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