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Twelve years and still ‘Criating’…Chase Tavern Farm By Cindy Lavan, Chase Tavern Farm It’s funny where the path in life can take you. In 1993, my husband and I were not only newly married, we decided to ditch the ‘city life’ of Washington, D.C. and move to his home state of Maine. From taking the subway to work and his 35 minute, 5 mile commute, we loaded up the rental truck and moved up North. While still in the trenches of his government job, Tim discovered ‘alpacas.’ I knew about them as my uncle raised llamas in Colorado, but alpacas? As a business? As a lifestyle? We are going to live off this? Well 12 years later…yes, a full-time family run business. Yes, a day to day lifestyle and yes, we are making a living off of this. We aren’t planning on moving to the South of France next year, but raising and breeding alpacas has been our farm and family’s full-time occupation and hence income for 8 of the past 12 years. As our herd has grown to over 125 huacaya and suri alpacas, we not only manage the day to day operations of the farm, but have ‘criated’ a nationally recognized breeding program winning national awards. We have sold breeding stock to folks beginning with alpacas, as well as to experienced breeders looking for that ‘special addition’ to their growing herd. Our alpacas now reside in states such as: Florida, Washington, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and of course all the New England states. Not only have we developed a nationally known breeding program of excellence, we are the full-time daily herds-people. From shoveling manure to shearing, administering medications to marketing, all aspects of farm work are done by us. Daily our routine varies and after 12 years of working the farm, we have streamlined our husbandry and breeding program into an effective and profitable business. But it’s not just the business and husbandry aspects that make up our day. My husband Tim, is one of the industry’s busiest judges. Industry certified to judge Huacaya and Suri Halter, Fleece and Performance; he travels all across the United States and Canada judging alpaca shows as has judged shows such as The Virginia Classic, Houston Livestock and Rodeo and The Canadian Nationals. His insight and experience have not only helped our breeding program, but he helps our clients build and use his expertise in developing theirs. I was and am still active in our local and national associations. From serving as a Board of Director and Chairperson of National Marketing Committee, I have a range of knowledge and experience that has helped our farm grow over the years to the level of success we are now experiencing. Day to day, we work and we work hard. Managing a farm and business, and oh, yes…let’s not forget the human children…is work. But some good things in life should be work to help you appreciate where you are now and how you got there. I have to say the most enjoyable aspects of running a livestock farm, alpaca or not (as we have raised sheep and goats over the years for wool production) is the day to day interactions our children are experiencing on the farm. Our 8 year old son, Charlie, has been active in the business since he was 2 weeks old and 
attended his first alpaca event. He now operates his own breeding herd of Suri alpacas. We
had alpacas before we had him so he assumes everyone lives like this. Our 4 year old, Petey,
is the farm’s official greeter and chicken chaser. Big duties for such a little man. If you had asked us 12 years ago when we began raising and breeding alpacas that in January 2005, we would have more than 125 alpacas on the farm; be a successful breeding operation, not only in New England but in the U.S.; sell our breeding stock all across the U.S.; be a professional alpaca judge; be professional speakers and marketers; be professional shearers; be parents to humans; be great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents (to the alpacas); be raising alpacas as our full-time occupation; be professional manure managers and be living a life of independence, growth, adventure and an amazing lifestyle – we would of thought you were nuts! That’s what everyone thought of us 12 years ago! Maybe we are nuts. Maybe this is all a dream. If it is…Don’t wake me up!!! Not too many dreams would allow me to raise a family, work with my husband on a day to day basis (and still get along), make a living and live a life – that yes, sometimes is hectic and hard – but well worth every minute…every day! |
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