Area alpaca owners host third annual ‘Farm Days’
The third annual Farm Days at Lippencott Alpacas, which was held Sept. 26-27, was coordinated by Philip and Lena Galing to inform and educate the community about alpacas. Originally from South America, alpacas – which are mild-mannered members of the camel family – are raised for their soft fleece which is three times lighter than wool.
The event is held for the public during the National Alpaca Farm Days, and serves as a national effort to promote alpacas. The Farm Days event is always scheduled the last weekend of September.
Although Mother Nature was in a foul mood during the event, dispensing chilly winds and steady rain, the bad weather did little to dampen the Galings’ spirits.
“It’s going great given the weather,” Philip Galing said. “We couldn’t ask for it to go any better. People are coming out in rain coats, rain boots and rain gear, but they’re having a great time.”
The guest book offered allowed the Galings to survey the residences of the visitors. There were many people from Pittsburgh and Fairmont, W.Va. In fact, 20 percent of the visitors came from West Virginia.
Lena Galing discussed the new additions to Lippencott Alpacas, two Great Pyrenees dogs named Micron and Crimp. Micron was named for the diameter of an alpaca fiber and Crimp for the waviness of an alpaca fleece.
The dogs were bought to protect the alpacas from coyotes and wild dogs. These dogs will kill to protect the herd. The Galings chose to buy a male and female dog because they would not fight like same-sex puppies. They considered buying the dogs after hearing coyotes howl at night, but bought the dogs soon after they saw three coyotes run across the top of the hill.
Also during the event, Lena Galing informed the visitors on the meninga worm. The worm is a minute snail found around deer droppings or manure. They crawl under the fence and can affect the alpacas. Shots are given every six weeks to prevent the illness. The meninga worm affects the nervous system. It can kill an alpaca between one and two days.
Lippencott Alpacas will be offering a seminar on Nov. 7. The morning will offer a classroom setting in the store and the afternoon a practical training. It is the next time that the shots are scheduled for the alpacas and the clipping of toenails.
Lena Galing informed the crowd that when buying alpacas it is best to buy two females. If one buys only one, it can affect the alpaca emotionally.
She also explained that prices for alpacas have dropped as a result of the economy. Normal alpacas are sold at a range between $17,000 and $30,000. A better quality alpaca can possibly be sold from $50,000 to over $100,000. Lena Galing said, “Raising alpacas is a great thing. We only wish we started earlier.”
Lena Galing warned the crowd about farms that are more than willing to sell alpacas and hand over the contract easily. She explained that the seller may never communicate with the buyer again once the contract is signed. Lippencott Alpacas offers a sponsorship with the people that they sell to and are willing to speak to the customers at any time of the day, she said.
Tom and Judy Wilson brought their Stained and Kiln Fused Glass to the event. Everything that they make is done in a kiln.
They have stained glass for 15 years. The place where they bought the stained glass supplies offered fused glass classes. Judy makes the jewelry and Tom makes the bottles.
Thistlethwaite Vineyards and Winery was the other vendor at the event. Jamie Thistlethwaite said there are two events at the winery coming up in October. A chicken roast will be held on Oct. 10 and a fondue has been scheduled for Oct. 17. Live entertainment will be featured at both events.
The event featured two demonstrations on Sept. 26. Mary Lou Williams demonstrated hand spinning on a spinning wheel and archaeologist Ken Gayman spoke on archeological sites, which are mainly Indian burial sites, being affected by gas drilling in Greene County.
Hayrides were also offered during the event.