NEAFP Blog

++++NEAFP Note June/July 2010++++

A little late but certainly not short! Everyone here at NEAFP is happy to announce the latest addition to our product catalog, the new Diabetic Socks!

Head to the HTML newsletter to view Sock Flyer: http://bit.ly/bAGmrV

Over the years many of our customers have expressed interest in a Diabetic Sock design using Alpaca fiber. Alpaca's natural characteristics, Hypo-allergenic, Lanolin Free, Semi Hollow Fibers, Moisture Wicking, Breath-ability, and Temperature Regulation all go perfectly together in addressing the issues many diabetics face when choosing what socks to wear. We combined these characteristics with a new sock design that includes a Non-restrictive upper calf knit to help with circulation issues. We are really excited about these new specialty socks and think they will be a great hit with diabetics.

Our Diabetic Socks are on the website now ready to be ordered and will begin shipping July 16th!

Head to the HTML newsletter to view pricing / feature breakdown: http://bit.ly/bAGmrV

Here in New England we are experiencing quite the heat wave, luckily the shearing is done and the Alpacas are enjoying their daily hose offs. Unfortunately here in the mill we aren't so lucky. We have been bombarded with fiber, especially from the most recent 3 fiber collections totaling a little under 15k lbs of fiber! It is great to see more and more farms take advantage of our fiber collections and save on Shipping and Handling costs! We look forward to adding even more locations this Fall and next year's Show season and will certainly keep you all posted!

Hope you all had a fun and relaxing 4th of July! Enjoy the R & R before the Fall and Holiday rush!

+++NEAFP Note - May 2010+++
http://www.neafp.com

Head to the HTML Version: http://bit.ly/ajK3WJ

How to save 15% on Socks

NEAFP offers a 15% discount on all of our sock styles when ordering a case (10 dozen of one style). This is a great way for farms and retailers to stock up all at once, increase their profit margins, and save on average 50% in Shipping and Handling costs.

To take advantage of Case Pricing just place an order on the site for 10 dozen of a particular style of socks. We will process the discount in the office and send you an updated receipt with the new totals.

Getting Started PDF Guide

As more and more alpaca farms embrace the fiber side of their business people from all across the country have been inquiring about how they can get started using us to process their fiber and receive our products for resale. We have put together a Getting Started guide designed to answer all of the major questions asked when starting out with us.

We are happy to have it finally available online for download in PDF form.

Topics Covered: Placing your First Order, Fiber Grading, Benefits of the Fiber Bank, Preparing Fleece to be Shipped, Shipping Alpaca Fiber, Participating in Fiber Collections, Wholesale, Product Color Selection, NEAFP Notes, and other Online Resources.

Head to the HTML Version to Download Guide: http://bit.ly/ajK3WJ

Quick Note: Snowflake Pattern Watch Caps and Earflap Beanies are back in stock!

Upcoming Events

ABOV Fiber Conference – June 19th
Marlee Farm Alpacas
330 Rupert Mountain Rd.
Pawlet, Vermont

Seminar- 1 to 2:30pm , followed by a Social Hour Afterwards

Chris and Shelley will be presenting NEAFP at the Vermont Breeders Fiber Conference as well as running a fiber collection. Let us haul your fiber back for you!

Contact Barry Meinerth @ meinerth@aol.com for more information!

Empire Alpaca Extravaganza – October 22nd - 25th - Syracuse, NY
http://www.nyalpacas.com/

New England Coastal Classic – November 5th, 6th – Worcester, MA
http://www.necoastalclassic.com/

Be sure to head to the Web Version of this NEAFP Note to check out 3 Alpaca Blogs listed in the Alpaca Radar - http://bit.ly/ajK3WJ

For the entire month of March we will be offering Free Shipping and Handling on orders over $250.

We will update all qualifying orders before processing and sending you a completed PDF Receipt.

NEAFP is happy to announce two new additions to our stops through the U.S. Alpaca Show Circuit. We will be setting up our Informational Booth to showcase our products, meet new and old customers, and to collect fiber to be brought back to our mill for processing, a great way to save on Shipping Costs!

MAPACA Jubilee - April 22-25,2010
Harrisburg, PA

More information on the MaPACA Jubilee Site

Buckeye Alpaca Show - April 30 thru May 2nd, 2010
Ohio Expo Center
Columbus, OH

More information on the Buckeye Alpaca Show site

We also will be attending:

Empire 2010 Winter Symposium and Fleece Event 2/20 & 2/21 - Albany, NY
North American Alpaca Show 4/1 thru 4/3 - Springfield, MA

++++NEAFP Note - January 2010++++

Now that the Holiday Sales rampage has begun to wind down we all find ourselves with a little extra down time to contemplate the upcoming year. As small business owners it is important to take this time and plan how to increase your business as well as make things more efficient.

One resource we believe is very important for Alpaca Farms to consider this off season is the ability to accept Credit and Debit Cards, both in their online stores and on the go bringing your finished products to various markets.

We wanted to start 2010 off right by writing up an overview on what to expect when looking into processing options and ultimately what is the best fit for small, but growing businesses.

Head to this month's NEAFP Note to read our newest article, Accepting Credit and Debit Cards.

http://www.neafp.com/notes/january_note_2010.html

NEAFP has also begun to confirm dates for Fiber Collections so be sure to check those out. Save on Fiber Shipping Costs - Let us haul your fiber back to our mill!

http://www.neafp.com/notes/january_note_2010.html