News

Wrap yourself in the luxurious embrace

of our Textured Rib Knit Alpaca Shawl,

where comfort meets timeless elegance.

Crafted from the finest natural alpaca fibers, this shawl isn't just a piece of clothing; it's a versatile companion that enhances your wardrobe with a touch of sophistication. Its unique textured rib knit pattern accentuates alpaca fiber's natural moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties, creating an insulating layer that adapts to your body's needs.

Whether braving a breezy evening or enjoying a mild day, this shawl will adapt, offering lightweight comfort across a spectrum of temperatures. The generous dimensions of our new alpaca shawl open up a world of styling possibilities, making it a must-have accessory that complements any outfit. Drape it elegantly over your shoulders for a classic look or wrap it around for a cozy alpaca embrace.

Effortlessly dress up or down a wide range of attire.

This new Textured Rib Alpaca Shawl

beautifully showcases U.S. Alpaca

and what makes it a leading natural fiber.

We are proud of this new addition to our existing offerings

and think it will be a hit with you and your customers.

Available now at Fiber and Wholesale price points!

Is email still beneficial for marketing, and can it compete with social media?

The answer is a resounding YES!

Email is a timeless and powerful tool for farms. Monster Insights states that email is a much more powerful tool than social media because 99% of users check their email daily, 58% of these users check their inbox before turning to social media for the day, and 61% of users are more apt to open and click through on an email when they have subscribed to the brand.

There is also evidence to prove that sales derived from marketing emails far surpasses sales generated from generalized social media posts. The truth is email lists remain a marketer's best friend.

Email lists enable direct and personalized communication with your target audience. Unlike social media posts that can easily get lost in a sea of content, emails land directly in your subscribers' inboxes, making it more likely to capture their attention.

This information could be a regular newsletter,  a spotlight on upcoming events, special promotions, opportunities for farm visits, new farmer’s market locations, or could bring the story behind the products to your customers. 

Creating, maintaining, and sending emails out can be a daunting task but luckily there are so many email marketing options out there that have made it easy for anyone to get started. 

There are many email marketing tools to help; these include sites like MailChimp, Constant Contact, and Klaviyo. All of these sites have free trials in which you can try their service before deciding which would work best for your farm.

They all also include email automation, that tracks your subscribers through the customer journey and sends them timely content to help bring them through your pre-determined sales funnel. Here are some examples of automations: emails to be sent to customers who may have left an abandoned cart, or a customer who hasn’t made a purchase recently, may receive a 10% off coupon code. These seem like daunting tasks for a single farm owner, but with the help of an email list management tool this becomes a very manageable tool for your small business.  

One of the most significant benefits of email is the ability to build long-lasting relationships with your audience that you OWN and have control over. We've all noticed in recent years that social media algorithms are reducing your organic posts' reach, even with people who have chosen to follow and friend your business.

When you focus on your email list, your list is self-generated, and this list is yours for future communication. The people who have signed up are genuinely invested in your brand, products, or farm presence. They want to be part of your community.  You can establish trust and credibility by providing valuable and relevant content, fostering brand loyalty among your subscribers. A satisfied and loyal customer base is more likely to become repeat buyers and farm ambassadors, driving organic growth for your farm.

There's a reason why when browsing eCommerce sites you see so many offers and incentives to subscribe to their email list. The value of a subscriber is so great, businesses are willing to offer Free Shipping or a large discount on your first order in exchange for your email.

How are you going to work email marketing into your farm business this year? How are you going to grow your email list? What kind of offers and content are you going to send to your subscribers?

These are all great things to sit down and think about, so you can create an actionable plan to implement this year!

How can you get started generating sales from your email list:

• VIDEO: Creating an email list from scratch
• VIDEO: How can I start my email marketing campaign
• VIDEO: Start sending automated marketing emails today using MailChimp

Did you know that Agritourism globally brought in $62.5 billion in revenue and is projected to reach $118.6 billion by 2032? In the U.S. last year, it's estimated that over 28,500 farms held at least one Ag-tourism event, was your Alpaca Farm one of them?

Alpaca Farms remain in the perfect position to fill up its calendars with on-the-farm events this Summer and Fall. Generate revenue in a typically slower product sales season while connecting with your target audience locally and begin sowing the seeds for a great Winter and Holiday alpaca product sales season!

Not every event needs to be 100% Alpaca-focused; in fact, many people are seeking an authentic experience connecting outside with nature in an agricultural setting. If they happen to fall in love with the charming alpaca ambassador they are painting a portrait of and learn more about their sustainable fiber, it’s just an added bonus!

Looking for Ideas Off the Beaten Path for Events on the Alpaca Farm?

Remember: Consider events that cater to more than just the dye hard fiber artists in your community - expand your farms reach to the entire like-minded community!

On the Alpaca Farm Event Ideas to Jump Start your Creativity

By implementing these strategies, an alpaca farm can enhance its agritourism offerings, attract a broader customer base, and increase sales revenue. The combination of engaging experiences, education, and community involvement will create a sustainable and profitable agritourism venture. 

Take Agtourism to the next level by Offering Events and Classes this Summer!

Here at NEAFP we wanted to highlight hosting a “Bird Nesting Ball Making Event” as an example of creating an immersive experience in which your customers get to spend time with the alpacas, enjoy the scenery of your farm, create something that they can take away, and it will also give the participants time to shop in your farm store.

4" Grapevine Rattan Balls are available now

for your next Bird Nesting Ball Workshop!

 Shearing season has officially begun.

When you have a few free minutes,
please take our 2023 Fiber Collection Survey.

Help us map out where the highest demand
for fiber collection is around the country.

In the last few years, this information has been vital in us coordinating regional collections where they are needed most.

Your input is greatly appreciated, Thank you!

Take the short couple of minute survey here

As Spring is just around the corner, the Unicorns are coming out of hibernation and have begun offering some new colorways in your Unicorn Knitters Yarns!

Pink Poppy is a new color that just hit the website! Available now over Sportweight in the Limited Small Batch category!

Welcome to the Eastern Alpaca Jamboree 2023!

PA Farm Show Complex

Harrisburg, PA

March 30 - April 2, 2023

NEAOBA, EMPIRE, and PAOBA have combined their spring shows under one roof, over one 3 day weekend.

NEAFP is excited to vend + run a fiber collection this weekend.

To learn more about the show format -

head here

Plan to submit fiber to this collection?

Please RSVP here

• Survival Socks in Light Grey and Dark Grey (New Shipments arriving weekly)
• Backpaca Hiker Socks in SM, MED, and LRG (XL knitting now!)
• Eyelet and Cable Wrist Warmers - Steel Blue and Slate Grey
• BOLD Fingerless Gloves - Slate Grey and Steel Blue
• Cable Knit Beanies in White, Fawn, and Grey
• Classic Watch Caps in Grey and Fawn
• Solid Headbands in Fawn, Brown, and Grey
• Flint Headbands in Grey and Brown
• BOLD Cable Beanies in select colors
• Waffle Beanies in Fawn and Brown
• Unicorn Yarn - Sportweight in several colorways
• Textured Slouch Beanies in Grey, White, Fawn
• Mountain Eve Slouch Beanies in Grey w/ Fawn, Grey w/ White, Brown w/ White

These are just some of our best sellers
that are in stock now and ready to ship.

We are excited to share our Cradle 2 Grave - Upcycled Alpaca Products

as part of our Limited Small Batch offerings.

All of the items offered under Cradle 2 Grave are one-of-a-kind items that are made from our cut and sew textile waste!

These bits and scraps of precious U.S. alpaca yarn and knit fabric pile up as we make all of our hats and scarves.

Being mindful of the life cycle of our products, with a goal of reducing our downstream waste while increasing our re-use options for everything we make - Cradle 2 Grave products were born!

Upcycled Alpaca Striped Beanie - Cradle 2 Grave

Our Alpaca Striped Beanie is an upcycled take on a classic winter hat

that will keep you warm on the outside and inside!

Using cut and sew scraps from alpaca scarves and headbands, we put together this bold yet down-to-earth beanie, showcasing all of U.S. Alpaca's amazing features of comfort while creating something new out of our textile mill waste.

The soft + warm alpaca fabric exterior is lined with a micro-fleece lining to block wind and protect your head and ears from the elements.

These Upcycled Alpaca Striped Beanies are truly one-of-a-kind and produced in small limited batches based on what other products and colors we have in production.

A truly feel-good product for your discerning, environmentally conscious alpaca lovers!

Each Striped Beanie is made to "Adult Size- One Size Fits Most". There will be slight size variation from beanie to beanie, batch to batch, as these are pieced together by mill scraps. We recommend customers try these on to find their perfect fit!

Available Now while Inventory Lasts

as part of our Limited Small Batch Offerings

7 Needle Felting Tools

Available Now as part of our
Limited Small Batch Category!

We are excited to begin offering some Farm Store Market Place items under Limited Small Batch! These are items that are good add-on items for farms with a strong retail presence in their communities and beyond.

The first two items are available now and we will be periodically testing the demand for similar items that are a good fit for alpaca farms and stores.
 

1st Addition: 4" Grapevine Natural Balls
used to make Alpaca Nesting Balls on the Farm

Our new Crossover Cable Alpaca Blanket is a perfect weight and size to wrap up with on the couch or by the campfire.

We've blended soft + comforting U.S. Grown Alpaca with U.S. Grown Merino to create this locally grown, locally made all-natural addition to our offerings.

Alpaca and Merino's thermal regulating properties help create a warm, soft, and cozy blanket without the excess bulk.

Naturally hypoallergenic and odor resistant, your new favorite blanket will stay fresh day after day, night after night.

Stay cozy naturally with this U.S. Grown, U.S. Made Alpaca Blanket + feel good knowing it supports natural fiber farms & mills across the country.

Available in BOLD Slate Grey

Fiber Requirement: 2 lbs Prime

Dimensions: 60" x 54"

Content: 70% U.S. Alpaca, 30% U.S. Merino
 

Just one production run of this new blanket in 2022,

available at Fiber and Wholesale Pricing while supplies last!

NEAFP will also be running a fiber collection and delivering orders to the PAOBA Fleece Show + Seminar in State College, PA on Saturday July 30th, 2022 .

READ THE ENTIRE JULY NEAFP NOTE HERE!

 Shearing season has officially begun.

When you have a few free minutes,
please take our 2022 Fiber Collection Survey.

Help us map out where the highest demand
for fiber collection is around the country.

In the last two years, this information has been vital in us coordinating regional collections where they are needed most.

Your input is greatly appreciated, Thank you!

Take the short couple of minute survey here
 

New USPS Package Fees went into effect Monday, April 4th
 

USPS announced two new fees on January 9th that went into effect this week. Packages over 2 cubic feet in volume will incur fees between $16.50 to $19 on top of the cost of shipping.

This will affect larger packages, particularly fiber being mailed in, and now makes UPS Ground and FedEx Ground more viable for shipments 2 cubic feet or more.

Here is an example of a 2 Cubic Foot box
18" x 15" x 12.5"

First Batch added 3/8/2022

First Limited Small Batch added 2/26/2022

Looking for a quick and fun way to express your creativity while adding a splash of color and personalization to your alpaca products?

Our Alpaca Felt Cutouts come in assorted shapes and can quickly be needle felted onto our Teardrop Felt Trivets or any other alpaca product you can dream up.

Our assorted pack comes with a Moon, Star, 2x Hearts, 5x Flowers, and 3x Leaves - giving you some options and the ability to embellish several different items.

Offer them as add-ons to your customers so they can needle-felt them on their products or you do the needle felting and make some of your offerings extra special and one-of-a-kind items!

Each Alpaca Felt Cutout - Assorted Pack comes with:- 1x Moon, 1x Star, 2x Hearts, 5x Flowers, & 3x Leaves

Available Now!

Cynthia Kuhlmann of Sierra Rose Alpacas is now a fiber drop-off location for NEAFP!

Accepting fiber until October 17th, 2021 by appointment.

Sierra Rose Alpacas is located at:

15895 Greenhorn Rd.

Grass Valley, CA 95945.

Google Map Directions

Here are all the details:

We will accept your fiber, boxed by you and ready to ship, and put it on a pallet and ship to NEAFP.

The collection starts Sept. 20, 2021 and closes October 17, 2021.

This will save in shipping costs for all who participate: If you are attending Gold Country Gathering in Grass Valley, this is a good time to drop your ready-to-go boxed fleece at Sierra Rose Alpacas - just 15 min from the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Make an appointment for drop-off!

WHAT MUST YOU DO?

• Enroll in NEAFP for either their FIBER PURCHASE or FIBER BANK program. https://www.neafp.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=25
• Print DEPOSIT SLIP FORMS for your fleece and package it according to NEAFP requirements. DEPOSIT SLIP FORMS are on the NEAFP website.
• Bag and Box your fleece for shipping and credit for your farm per their instruction.
• Use standard shipping boxes only such as 16x16x16, Cube-like boxes. Sierra Rose Alpacas will not box your fleece, we are only accepting ready-to-go boxed fiber, taped closed & ready to ship.
• Make an appointment with Cynthia@SierraRoseAlpacas.com to drop off your boxed fleece at her ranch.
  • We are only 15 minutes from the Gold Country Gathering so you can make an appointment during that event if you want.
• For more information on which program to join, and how to properly label your fiber for receipt at NEAFP, visit their website. https://www.neafp.com/index.php

FROM NEAFP:

2021 Update: Regional Collection Transportation Fee

To help offset growing transportation costs, we are implementing a $10 transportation fee per 50 lbs submitted using Regional Collection Points for 2021.
Fiber Transportation Fee Rate Example Table (based on incoming weight)

1 to 50 lbs = $10
51 to 100 lbs = $20
101 to 150 lbs = $30
151 to 200 lbs = $40

The transportation fee applies to incoming weight and will be invoiced to each farm once their fiber has been sorted through by NEAFP.

The transportation fee will help offset the growing costs of running the collections and give us the resources to expand them in the future.

The Fiber Transportation Fee is waived for all host farms running regional collections and fiber drop-offs.

We hope this helps you get motivated to get your clip out of your barn and into production!!

Warmly,
Cynthia Kuhlmann

Our bouclé-lined Alpaca Mittens have been a hit since we first released them in 2017.

The knit outer shell takes alpaca’s naturally temperature regulating and moisture-wicking properties and enhances them with the ultra-fine Bouclé style lining that wraps your hand in comfort and another layer of insulation.

This 1-2 combo works together to keep your digits warm and protected from the elements.

We wanted to take this lined Alpaca Mitten to the next level, so we added a leather palm where it’s needed most.

The shape and placement of the goatskin leather protects your palm while still giving you full use of your thumb and fingers.

The goatskin leather palm is naturally water-resistant and extremely durable and will become softer and more supple over time.

Adding a layer of strong leather protection to this lined Alpaca Mitten brings it to the next level and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser among your more discerning customers!

Currently made in Slate Grey with Black Leather Palms - in Size Small, Medium, and Large while supplies last!

Available now

at both Fiber and Wholesale pricing!

As many of us begin to venture back into the office full time, so re-starts the never-ending debate of what temp to set the thermostat at!

Whether the AC is too cold for you in the Summer, or the heat isn't high enough in the Winter, our Alpaca Wrist Warmers will help keep you comfortable and as productive as you'd like.

Our latest Eyelet design adds a 3D ruffle of texture around the top and bottom of your hand while the tighter knit around the wrist traps warmth where you want it most.

Use our Alpaca Wrist Warmers to stay comfortable, whether working on the computer, driving or walking to your favorite restaurant in town.

With full access and mobility of your fingers and thumb, these Alpaca Wrist Warmers will keep you warm + cozy while allowing you to do anything and everything you'd like!

Available now in Steel Blue + Slate Grey Colorways!

Designed, Cut, Sewn, Dyed & Finished

right here at NEAFP in Fall River, Massachusetts

Just like the Alpacas that helped us create it - our new and improved Waffle Alpaca Beanie can best be described as cozy, warm, and inviting.

To update this style, we reimagined it from the ground up, starting with using a heavier, softer alpaca yarn.

This medium-weight alpaca beanie is knit with a half-cardigan stitch, giving it a soft and open ribbed texture.

The welcoming alpaca knit hugs your head in one of nature’s best insulating fibers.

Warm and cozy, while still allowing your head to breathe and wick moisture, this Waffle Alpaca Beanie is as versatile as they come.

Wear this beanie apple picking in the fall or while walking your dog in the dead of winter, its unlined open-knit will keep you comfortable and feeling cute in most conditions.

Made in the USA with U.S. Grown Alpaca Fiber

Designed, Cut, and Sewn by NEAFP in Fall River, MA

Dimensions: 8" wide by 9" Tall. Sized to accommodate most U.S. Adults

Contents: 80% U.S. Alpaca, 20% Recycled Nylon