Clik here to view.
Do Male or Female Alpacas Make Better Pets and Fiber Animals?
This summer we’ve had a lot of farm visitors and we’ve sold quite a few alpaca. One of the questions we receive with each visit is which gender is better for pets and fiber animals – male vs. female?...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Alpaca Histograms vs. EPDs
When we first started visiting alpaca farms and shows, I kept hearing references to EPDs and histograms. I was pretty darn confused about these terms, because they were generally used individually and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can I Raise Alpacas With Other Animals?
Since we’ve been raising alpacas, I’ve been asked the same questions time and time again. Can I raise alpacas with my llama, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats? The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Improving Breeding Outcomes Through Alpaca Color Genotyping
In our first year of breeding alpacas, we were at our farm with friends Dave and Kari. They are fellow alpaca breeders and they had brought over their herdsire Eddie to mate our female alpaca...
View ArticleA Year of Growth and Blessings
When Jason and I discussed starting Cotton Creek Farms five years ago, we truly did not know what was in store for us. Hunter was quick to opt in, and I definitely know, he had no idea what was coming....
View ArticleWhy Alpaca Products Are a Great Purchase
When selecting high quality fiber should you select alpaca, merino wool, or cashmere? Which fiber is best for quality and value? And are these luxury wools worth the extra money? If you’ve bought...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spring Happenings at the Farm
We’d like to provide some farm updates for everyone as our busy season of summer is kicking off. It’s Time to Announce Our Giveaway Winner Our winner of the alpaca goodie basket was Cassie Barrett of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Beware of Alpaca Sales Scams!
Over the last week, I’ve discovered three different instances of alpaca sales scams using our photos and pretending to be our farm. One scam I found, one scam my husband found, and one scam a lovely...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Understanding Color Variations in Alpaca Yarn and Products
We recently had someone purchase black yarn, only to be disappointed it wasn’t the traditional dark black that they were expecting. While the product photo didn’t represent a consistent true black...
View ArticleHow to Clean Your Alpaca Products
Some of the magic of alpaca is the fact that it naturally repels water, dirt, and odors, so cleaning takes place a lot less than you’d expect. A lot of times you can air out alpaca products or shake...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Understanding The Black Base Coat Color Genotype of Alpacas
This article is co-authored by Lynn Edens of Snowmass Alpacas and Jason Gill of Cotton Creek Farms. It was originally printed in Issue 7 of The America Alpaca Journal. You can find the entire June...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Color Genotyping of Alpacas: What We Are Learning
In early 2021, Lynn Edens of Snowmass Alpacas and Jason Gill of Cotton Creek Farms began using an alpaca coat color genotyping test to better understand the base colors of our alpaca herds. They hoped...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Breeding Alpacas: What New Farms Need to Know
When we decided to breed alpacas, I was excited. I mean more excited than I have been for virtually anything else in my life. When I first met alpacas, I fell hopelessly in love with them, and I knew I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
19 Unscientific Signs of Alpaca Labor and Delivery
You’ve waited over eleven months for your alpaca baby to bake and you’re anxious for the upcoming delivery. But how do you know when your alpaca is ready to begin labor and delivery? Are there clear...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Buying Alpaca Yarn
When we started our alpaca farm I didn’t know anything about yarn or knitting. I didn’t understand the difference between a skein and a hank or DK and worsted. Since opening the farm, I’ve had a crash...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Saying No to Fast Fashion
My twenty-something daughter is a fast fashion fan. Her mother owns an alpaca farm and a flourishing retail business. We are on opposite ends of the sustainability spectrum. She cares for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Alpacas, Community, & Donations
This last weekend we opened our farm up and invited the public in for two days of alpaca giggles, treats, and photos. We like to do this right before shearing so everyone can see the alpacas in their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story of Baby Ryan’s Birth
Things never go as planned, and so is the story of baby Ryan’s entry into the world. On Friday the farm was full of people for tours and shopping. Jason had just started an alpaca tour and I was headed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What to Know About Buying Alpaca Socks
The first piece of alpaca clothing I owned was a pair of alpaca socks. From the moment I put them on, I fell in love. My husband bought them for me as a gift and little did he know, I was going to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Perfect Alpaca Gift for Everyone on Your Shopping List
As we move out of summer and into fall, more and more farm store visitors are purchasing Christmas gifts. In preparation for the crazy Christmas shopping season, I’m already stocking up on our hottest...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why Alpacas Are the Quirkiest Animals You’ll Ever Meet
As I wrap up the weekend, I reflect on the visit I had with a friend from high school. Tim and his lovely wife Lynn came north to see the fall colors and part of their adventure was to spend a night at...
View ArticleWhere Are Your Alpaca Products Really Coming From?
When I first opened our alpaca farm and store, I was enthralled by the allure of alpaca. Soft, warm, hypoallergenic, and so sustainable. They felt magical to me. Along the journey, I discovered the...
View ArticleGrab Black Friday Alpaca Savings
I've long been a Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopper. I love shopping early and grabbing great savings for everyone on my Christmas list. Now that I own an alpaca store, I'd like to continue my love...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Merino Wool vs. Alpaca
If you’re considering purchasing merino wool or alpaca clothing, you’ll likely head to Google and search for educational articles or research papers on this subject. Sadly, you’ll probably get...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Make Friends With an Alpaca
Last week I started getting a ton of messages from people to let me know Kevin Bacon just published a video of him trying to woo his alpaca Sharona. I think Kevin's videos are awesome and I love that...
View ArticleShould You Buy 100% Alpaca Socks?
As people come and go from our farm, they always ask about buying 100% alpaca socks. Do we have any of these socks for sale, are they worth buying, are they warm? The answer is no we do not offer 100%...
View ArticleThe Beginner’s Guide to Purchasing a Starter Alpaca Herd
Do you love alpacas? Are you longing to start an alpaca farm? I get it, not so long ago I was in the same position. I was so excited when we bought our first alpacas and brought them home. Heck, I'm...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Saying Goodbye to Grandma Amber
In 2019 our insurance agent reached out to us and asked if we could assist a widow named Angela. Angela has recently lost her husband and she needed help taking care of the alpaca herd he left behind....
View ArticleAOA Board Candidate
The Alpaca Owners Association has announced its 2024 board of director candidates and Jason is running. He had not planned to run, however, he received a call asking for him to step up and help. So he...
View ArticleClik here to view.
4-H Grows Here and We’re So Thankful
Today we wrapped up the 2024 4-H fair at the Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City. It’s been months of practice and a week of competitions, fair food, laughter, and rides. Each year my husband...
View Article