Public can spend a day on a new kind of farm
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Paige Widder gets a close up on a baby alpaca.

You probably haven't seen them, but they are out there. More than you expect. Aliens from a foreign land that are growing in number. They started arriving in the United States in 1984 and have exploded to over 100,000. These silent creatures are intelligent and curious. They come in peace.

They are alpacas.

Franklin County is home to several alpaca farms, but even the owners aren't sure they are aware of everyone in the business. Five families are hosting open houses during National Alpaca Farm Day Sept. 29 and 30 to introduce the public to their fuzzy livestock.

Mark and Jean Widder, 14514 Hollowell Church Road, welcome visitors to their Antrim Township breeding farm on Sunday. They have nine Huacaya alpacas, with another due in October.

"They're wonderful animals," said Jean. "They're gentle, beautiful creatures."

So calm, in fact, that their daughters, Paige, 4, and Ashley, 2, enter the pen with the animals. Paige will walk them with a halter and lead.

When the Widders decided to venture into the alpaca world, they first did extensive research and visited

farms. They wanted a type of livestock with easy maintenance and that Jean could manage, since she would be the most handson. Alpacas fit the bill and they made their initial purchase in December 2005.

For the first six months, the animals were boarded at another farm and Jean went out frequently to work with them. The past year-anda half has been a 'learn as you go' experience

and the Widders are comfortable they made the right choice.

They have now joined forces with Mike and Sarah Donahoe, Mercersburg; Travis and Jill Schooley, Waynesboro; and Craig and Page Nitterhouse and Jeff and Mary Jill Landon, Chambersburg, to form Alpacas of Cumberland Valley.

"We decided to work together to get the word out even more," said Jean.

She says so many people know so little about the animals.

Alpacas are native to South America, mostly Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They are part of the camelid family, half the size of llamas. They are sociable and will die if isolated. Gestation is over 11 months and births always occur during the day. Alpacas are clean.

Jean elaborated. "They have communal dung piles, so you don't have to be too concerned with where you walk in the field."

Alpacas don't bite since they have no bottom teeth. They don't butt since they have no horns. They hum to communicate and they might spit.

"Honestly, they've gotten a bad name with that," Jean said. "Unless you're doing something to harm them, they won't spit. That's their defense."

Alpaca treasure

The prize of the alpaca is its fleece. The Huacaya breed produces a thick, dense fiber with crimps. These animals have a bit of a teddy bear look. The Suri breed's fiber is long and fine, similar to pencil locks.

"Alpaca is a luxury fiber. It's softer than cashmere, warmer than wool, and hypoallergenic," said Jean.