Angela and Matthew Smith have been the owner-operators of One Tree Hill Alpaca Farm for just over ten years now.

As for how they got started with alpacas, Angela says it’s a funny story.

“We started it by accident,” she said. “We actually went to buy a goat and bought alpacas instead.”

Getting sidetracked like that has seen them breed a herd of over 70 animals, concentrating on their qualities to more than just meet the industry standards, they also focus on “the commercial needs of the fibre these beautiful animals grow.”

Even though they mostly have females, the main services are alpaca stud mating, and they sell alpacas too.

They are also about to launch alpaca experiences and a trio of guided tours.

The plan is for the shortest of these to be an hour long outing, another to be a one and a half hour journey, and the third is to be an Aussie alpaca adventure that goes for two and a half hours with patting, walking and hand dyeing yarn.

That brings us to the other aspect of their venture. They do yarn as a side business, along with hand dyeing it.

They also sell on behalf of 16 other alpaca farms in the region, and throughout the year they organise various courses for weaving, crocheting, knitting or felting.

There’s also a fleece appreciation course on the list, and a business development program for aspiring alpaca farmers.

They’re also planning a big fibre retreat in September. This will be a chef-catered alpacas experience.

As a family venture they feel that “Supporting local is keeping money and talent in the region,” so it is important to “fully support small business.”

One Tree Hill Alpaca Farm is near Murrumbateman. Call Angela on 0403 991 612.

You can also read quite a lot more about them at www.onetreehillalpacas.com.au and you can follow them on Facebook as well.