Let Us Help You Get Started in Alpacas

Zodiac Ranch was established in 1990, as a breeding farm specializing in the beautiful Peruvian Horse. In 1997 we became involved in the rare herding breed of dog called the Norwegian Buhund. We acquired our first alpacas in 2002, and quickly built our herd of huacaya alpacas. Today we are one of the largest alpaca farms in Michigan, and are well known across the country for the quality of our animals. Our greatest satisfaction comes from watching our little "stars" excel in the showring, but above all, being cherished pets.

We were blessed to have many alpaca breeders share their knowledge with us when we were starting out, and we are still learning to this day. The people in this industry have an amazing body of knowledge and love to share their experiences. We like to continue this onward to our new clients, and have helped many new farms on their way to alpaca ownership.

We have sponsored "Getting Started in Alpacas" seminars at our farm and have hosted other specialized seminars such as Neonatal Clinics with Dr. Cheryl Dewitt. Birthday parties at Zodiac Ranch are a fun activity for the kids, when they get to lead around the baby alpacas and make a fiber project. Open House attendees get to interact with the alpacas one on one, and have lots of photo opps while learning to walk the alpacas. In the past, I helped our newly formed 4-H alpaca club by giving an introduction to alpaca fiber, and helping the kids create a felted project. I also have volunteered my time working with the kids at our local Oakland Technical Center, being part of their Large Animal rotation, teaching the kids in the Animal Science program how to care for alpacas, teaching them how to give shots, and having them doing other hands on projects around the farm as well as letting them help at shearing day.

Besides the day to day farm duties, my sister Sue Bunch and I have had a Fiber Business, Back to Back Fiber Products for more than 10 years. We were the original manufacturer of a needlepunched quilt batting called Pacafil Inside..tm made from Alpaca/Wool and Alpaca/Cotton blends. We have traveled many miles, and spent many a weekend at fiber shows around the country teaching people about the joys of alpaca fiber. Through our interactive Make and Take table, people are able to make a simple needlefelted project, and go away with a feeling of accomplishment in their little creation. One time a little girl came to our booth and carefully took out of her purse, her little Make and Take projects she had made over the past 4 years at our booth. Another time a lady came by, and told us, "You changed my life". As a result of her little Make and Take project at our booth, she became enchanted with needlefelting and by the next year, had published a whole book on how to needlefelt gnomes! It is times like that when we know we have made an impact it peoples' lives. www.learntoneedlefelt.com

Farm Terms & Financing

We can offer flexible financing terms. Let us know what works for you.
With terms over 6 months, interest will be charged.