S1 E7 - All Things Alpaca and Supporting Small Business with The Buzzard Farm

Rock Bridge Farmstead Podcast | Stories From Our Homestead and Yours!

The Buzzard Farm is an alpaca farm, first and foremost. We have five alpaca and we are what is called a fiber farm. We do not breed our animals but we sell fiber. I am really passionate about sustainable fashion and would love to grow to be a part of a local movement where goods can be locally distributed through my animals. We just are not there quite yet. Right now, we have a farmstead blog where I talk about soap making, crafting, gardening and our shop. We sell soy wax candles, alpaca fiber, roasted coffee in limited releases, and fair trade alpaca wear able items such as scarfs, hats, and blankets. I have always loved small craft fairs. I will travel far and wide to attend them. I love talking with makers and learning about the work they put into each item created. I even ran a blog at one point that gave free advertising to local small artisans. I never thought of being one myself despite the fact that personally I was a soap maker, crafter, artist, and candle maker for quite some time.

That all changed, obviously. I was at a craft fair in Ohio and there was a tent with little handmade alpaca items and behind the tent, they had a fenced area with five of their alpaca. Before that moment, I had never seen an alpaca. I am completely starstruck with these animals. I asked every question I could and upon walking away (45 minutes later), I was convinced one day I would own an alpaca farm of my own.

At the time, I was living in the suburbs in a 1/4 acre house. I visited the alpaca farmers I met at the fair at their farm. They taught me how to care for alpacas, how alpaca ownership works, and so much invaluable information. I am so thankful for those amazing and caring people but I really think they never believed I was serious.

But I was.

The whole thing really fell together. I was at my son’s school and a friend’s mom was talking about how she wanted to re-home her alpaca and I overheard. I couldn’t believe there was even another mother at his school of 100 children that even had an interest in alpaca! So I immediately introduced myself. We became friends and a year later, I was asked if I want

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All music written and performed by Darren Jackson,

find him throwing clay over at LoveHandleClay on Instagram!you find our podcast easily.
Rock Bridge Farmstead has grown over the years. Homesteading definitely takes time, so if you are just getting started, don’t be discouraged! Our farm began in 2014 when we bought our first home, planted our first large garden and purchased our first chickens and goats. It was a dream come true!

Everything we do on our farmstead we do as a family. We have two amazing children who participate in almost every part of homestead life. Our projects take a little longer because our kids help, ask questions and learn as we do those projects. We take every opportunity to spend time in nature, and educate our children about the important things in life.