Published: August 21, 2008 08:15 am            

The Alpaca Ambassadors

At the Simpson family farm, camels, llamas and emus have also found a home

You don't have to drive very far to spend a few pleasant hours enjoying some of the exotic creatures God has put on this earth. In fact, right here in our fair town of O'Brien is a place that will have you smiling for hours after you leave it.

"Alpaca Ambassadors" is a small, privately-owned home to a herd of alpacas, some llamas, a couple of camels, emus and a few other animals we are used to seeing in Suwannee County, such as pigs, including a potbelly that is very friendly, some goats, turkeys a miniature donkey and some horses.

I spent several delightful hours in the company of Joyce Simpson and her son Morgan, who took me on a tour of this farm that had me smiling every time I thought about them. I learned more about these unusual creatures than I can include in this article, but I can assure you it's an experience you and your children will love.

Morgan Simpson lives on the farm here in O'Brien and is manager and caretaker. He is a wealth of information about these creatures in his care, and you can tell from the way the animals follow him around and trust him that he takes his work seriously and does it well. From what I saw, I cannot call this his job, he loves it too much, so I would call this his purpose in life.

Morgan has been an alligator wrestler and has worked as a tiger trainer and handler when he lived in Miami. He also is experienced in the care and handling of snakes, and hopes to do shows and demonstrations about these reptiles in the future

Joyce and her husband Mike have another facility in High Springs. There they have more of these alpacas that are considered livestock, as well as a store in which they sell some of the products made from the fiber, not fur of the alpacas, as well as many other items and information on all the animals on both farms.

Established in 2004, the primary function of this farm is animal awareness and education about these creatures, and raising them for the many uses of their fiber which is sheared, then made into roving, felt, yarn, etc. I also was told of some possible use of "byproducts" of the camels and alpacas that could be beneficial to our environment and way of life in the near future. But that's another segment, and another column!

I learned that alpacas are a "herd" animal, and that they need another alpaca for constant companionship. They are sheared once a year, and their fiber is sold raw or processed and made into blankets, scarves and a few other articles.

The males and females are kept separate until it is time to breed, and it takes 11 months to the time of birth.

The female camel is 8-year-old Jolie. The male camel is 3-1/2-year-old Curly. Camels live 30 to 40 years and are known for the amount of water they can hold in their humps. Jolie demonstrated for me just how much she enjoys drinking water by taking the hose in her mouth and guzzling the water for several minutes. She and Curley love and trust Morgan completely, and followed him all around the complex by walking along the fence line as we drove from area to area.

I got a thrill when the emus, llamas and alpacas took bits of carrot from my hand, coming right up to us as we drove in a golf cart through their pens, and allowing me to touch and pet them. The camels gently took bits of Fig Newtons from my hand, too. And ladies, the eyelashes on some of these animals are so lush and long you can't help but admire them!

Before I left I was introduced to one of the dogs residing with Morgan. He is a Caucasian Mountain Dog named Czar, about the size of a St. Bernard, who was so very friendly and lovable, but still a great watchdog over the farm. His mate Sasha recently gave birth to eight puppies, but I didn't get to see them.

If you want to spend some time on a weekend afternoon, I heartily recommend you visit Alpaca Ambassadors farm. Tours are by appointment only. Call Morgan at 386-454-7139 and make an appointment to visit, and by all means take your children and/or grandchildren. You'll be glad you did!

This week our prayers of thanks go out to John Lindsey, who is home from the hospital, and a request for prayer for Sherylynn Cranmer's mother Audrey Finley. Remember all those in your community who have many needs, and as always, include our military around the world.

Give thanks to God for all the rain we've had, and watch out for the children as you drive out each morning. God bless!

        

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