With the simple act of signing our names on the dotted line Cobb Hill Alpacas has a new home. Several weeks ago we purchased a larger farm in Wytheville, Virignia which is just a few miles from our current farm. As we transition to our new home we will continue to offer farm visits to see our beautiful alpacas and operate at the local farmer’s markets this summer.
With the fog quickly lifting and the sun’s warm golden rays peeking over the trees Becket and his new friends soak up the sun as their day begins this morning.
As for Kim and I, we are headed out to the Rural Retreat Farmer’s Market at the Depot for the last market of the season. If you are in the neighborhood feel free to stop by and say hello.
Cassandra and Forrest meeting Cali the barn cat.Sasha and her cria Echo taking in the late afternoon sun.Paloma and her first cria AnneBoxer (the Man Nanny) watching over his new buddy ForrestIzzie and Scarlett just minutes after being born.Anne and Scarlett at one month oldSet up at the Independence Farmer’s Market w/ Mr. C.The for little ones looking for something to get into.Moving ten bales at a time up to the barn. If you have ever been up our driveway you would understand.Robbing the bee’sBottling this years harvest of comb honeyTwo of the farms employees, Abbie and LucyCobb Hill’s Farm Store
With the Labor Day holiday now just a memory, I wonder where has the summer gone. Looking back I realize just how much has happen in just a few short months. Since May, four crias have been born on the farm; one male Forrest and three females Echo, Anne and Scarlett. They have grown so much since May, Forrest who was born on May 21st now weighs in at 70 pounds while Scarlett our little girl is nearly 40 pounds each tripling their birth weight over the summer.
In July, we began selling at both the Rural Retreat and Independence farmer’s markets. Additionally, we completed the construction of our farm store and now operate it daily from 4-8 pm. Inside you can see Kim’s complete line of handmade alpaca hats, scarves, gloves and other unique items. Tom has also stocked the shelves with some of his local honey, wooden bowls, and custom triangle weaving looms.
In August, we hosted a number of farm visits and put up nearly 200 bales of hay in preparation for the coming winter. Mary Todd returned to our farm after a short vacation to Dreamland Alpacas. As we anticipate the arrival of this years fifth cria in October, Ms. Libby really began to show signs of her pregnancy in both size and demeanor.
With September’s arrival, we have begun weaning our cria, continued harvesting the last of this years honey flow and monitor our bees health as their winter begins much earlier.
The girls seem to be enjoying the new hair styles and with temps in the 80’s tomorrow the timing couldn’t be better.
With the sun slowly setting to the west the Pacas are enjoying a good meal in a newly opened pasture. They are scheduled to get a haircut and pedicure tomorrow if anyone would like to help give us a call.
Two new Buckeye heritage hens were added to our free pastured flock this morning thanks to Willow Spring Farm, here in Rural Retreat. We are looking forward seeing them roam the pastures with the alpacas in a few days after they get settled into their New coop.
I now understand why my chicken feed bill has more than doubled in the last few months. After chasing Ms. Willow out of the coop and closing the door she still managed to stick her head through the chicken’s door to get another bite.
