Summertime at GGA

Posted on 8 June 2011 | 0 Comments

It has been a busy time following the Mayflower Alpaca Show here at Green Gable Alpacas.  Although the temperatures betray the calendar, summer is fast approaching - and with, it the busy tourist season begins.

Our shop, the Fiber House Boutique is open again and filled with all manner of alpaca products.  Everything from raw fiber, custom blending yarns, socks, our fabulous insoles, sweaters and scarves and many one-of-a-kind, hand made alpaca treasures.  We have been working with local crafts-people to develop a unique line of products that you will only find in our shop or our on-line store.  Be sure to stop by often as products will be constantly changing.

Summer on the Island also means that it is time to shear.  Shearing day is Saturday June 11th.  We will be at it all day and it is quite an experience to witness.  Feel free to drop in.

We have been working with many local government agencies who have been highly supportive of our business.  With their help we have received financial assistance to make our farm and operations more efficient, productive and profitable.  Special thanks to the Department of Agriculture and the Future Farmers Program who have provided funding for us to undertake the following training courses:  Alpaca Marketing with Julie Wassom - the Alpaca Marketing Coach; and the two day basic CameliDynamics course with Marty Magee Bennette.  Thanks also to Paula Bigger, our local MLA and Kelly Milligan at the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development.  With their assistance, we have been approved under the Rural Jobs Initiative Program to hire a full time employee for 14 weeks at virtually no cost to us.  With this assistance, futher farm infrastructure work will be completed.

We have also been working with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to put a proposal together to start marketing our alplaca manure.  Financial assistance for purchasing a chipper/vacuum and develop marketing materials, as well as providing ongoing marketing support is included in their program.

Work is also underway with Experience PEI to develop an experiential tour of our farm for Island visitors looking for unique Island experiences.  We hope to have development completed and start accepting tours by early to mid Summer.

On the show front, we are proud to share that Americano Keswick's third fleece earned him 2nd place at the National AOBA Show in Denver, Colorado.  Not bad considering the size of show and stiff competition.

As a final note, thanks to all of you who have supported Rachel or me in the upcoming Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes which is taking place around the Nation this month.  It is not too late to support Team Amanda Marie, a group of close to 50 friends and family members who walk in honor and memory of our daughter, sister and very best friend, Amanda Marie Augustine.  Please visit the following page to make your donation.  All donations are gratefully received.

Cheers and Happy Summer!!