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Raised on a Farm ........ Retiring on a Farm By Tobin Slaven Born and raised on a small family farm in Lamoine, Maine in the 1950’s back when farming was as much a part of economic necessity as a chosen vocation, I spent my early life attuned to the pulse of small animals and chores done twice each day. Marriage, children, and a career in real estate would later take me down other roads, to a new life in the coastal village of Blue Hill. But I have always enjoyed, and missed the daily rhythm of a farm – a peaceful contentedness that comes from knowing a good day’s work, and watching one’s efforts grow with each passing season. In more recent years, and with an eye towards planning my retirement, I curiously watched the growth and interest in llama and alpaca farms on display at local country fairs. With the alpacas I saw the perfect fit: of a small, easy to handle and good-natured animal; hypoallergenic fiber that is amazing to touch and with bourgeoning demand; and it was important to find a project that we would both enjoy and would keep us active as my husband and I slow down from our working lives. In 2003 my research began in earnest as my grandson and I took in several locations on open farm days. I absorbed all I could learn and soon was hooked on the idea. That fall, my husband Ralph and I were on a trip to a classic car show in New Hampshire (his passionate hobby) and I talked him into visiting two farms in the vicinity. One of the two stops was at Pat Delaney’s Whispering Winds Farm in Marlboro, NH. I loved Pat’s easy going way with the animals and her patience with my many questions. I also like that many of Pat’s animals shared the mostly white coats, which make the fiber more available to dyeing for color options. On the road back, Ralph was quick to point out that we had no barn, no hay, no fencing, and fast approaching the winter season. Not to be deterred, I began planning for the next year. But within a week, he had sourced a mini-barn that was delivered to our site. We came to an agreement with Pat (including owner financing) for two bred females, a three-month-old male cria, and one not yet born (a male who would later be named "My ’55 Chevy") . We picked up chain link panels, electric fencing, and additional mini-barns with a grain room. We found hay locally from a friend who boarded horses, and amazingly – we were ready! Our two moms and two babies came the week before Thanksgiving. It was such fun to watch the two boys frolicking like puppies. Ralph even took to the animals immediately, affectionately nick-naming the older boy “Bonehead” because of his gregarious personality. Since that memorable first year in 2003, we have bred the females several times and now have 7 animals in total. Finding local veterinary service with experience in camelids was and continues to be a challenge, but Pat has proven to be an amazing resource and supporter. We talk to her often, and if we don’t call, she reaches out to us about once a month to make sure all is going well. Our goal is to raise the animals with a focus on fiber and confirmation. It was never our intention to travel and do the shows that other farms entertain, but our little farm has certainly attracted a number of curious visitors over the last several years. It’s hard to describe the satisfaction of sitting here with my cup of coffee, looking out the window over the pasture and seeing how our little family has grown. Last spring we entered and won several prizes for fiber quality at the Fiber Frolic at Windsor Fairgrounds. Being a knitter. I enjoy working with the fleece. I still work part-time, but having such a willing and involved partner has made all the difference in building our little retirement business. As Ralph likes to say, I guess I really am a farmer, thru and thru. |
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