Is it worthwhile for you to use your farm for agritourism experiences? Opening your farm up to new entertainment, recreational, and educational activities may create a new revenue stream that bolsters visitation to your farm and sales of your products.
 

Defining Agritourism and Similar Value-Added Enterprises

You likely already engage in some forms of agritourism, if you host holiday open houses or participate in the annual National Alpaca Farm Days. Many visitors simply yearn for an authentic farm experience, and opening your farm by appointment or on particular occasions to share your work with the public is the simplest form of agritourism. Might it be time to add some alternative enterprises to the farm?

What are alternative enterprises? According to the Southern Maryland RC&D Board's guide "Taking the First Step,"   

Alternative Enterprises are "marketing an existing farm or ranch product differently, adding value before it is sold, or adding a new enterprise (product or service) to existing enterprises on the farm or ranch. Also referred to as enterprise diversification. Besides the production of food and fiber, alternative enterprises include the following activities:

• Agritourism - Inviting the public onto a farm or ranch to participate in various activities and enjoy an agricultural experience. Agritourism enterprises include bed and breakfast, for-fee fishing or hunting, pick-your-own fruits/ vegetables, corn mazes, farm markets, and much more. 

• Agritainment - Providing the public with fun on-farm or on-ranch activities. Such activities include haunted houses, mazes, miniature golf, yoga, horseback riding, hayrides, and the like.

• Agrieducation - Formal and informal education about agriculture through signage, tours, hands-on classes, seminars, and other methods."
 

What are some examples of successful agritourism ventures? Vineyards offering tastings and events like concert series have become extremely popular, especially when included in a regional "wine tour." Corn mazes and pumpkin patches remain a fall favorite. Don't forget the cider donuts at the end!
 

Agritourism as a Source of Revenue

If you are planning to host an event or recurring series of events on your farm to attract tourists, consider the many possible income streams. Many of the above activities are now lumped into the term “agritourism.” Whether you choose to charge an admission fee, or charge for activities onsite, there are numerous ways to build value into the experience. You may choose to charge a small fee to feed the alpacas or take a hayride, for instance. Some farms provide tastings or sell produce or food grown onsite, while others choose to be full fledged bed and breakfasts! Regardless, as an alpaca farmer, you will probably find that a gift shop for selling alpaca products will be central to your farm’s success.

Perhaps your farm is the perfect event space for weddings and private events? A picturesque landscape might make it the ideal backdrop for photographers willing to rent it out as well. Other farms have had success hosting picnic suppers for the community.
 

Challenges of Agritourism

Opening up your farm to visitors means that you must also manage visitor expectations. If you have open hours, visitors will expect you to be open during that time. Farms can be inherently hazardous, so it is important to prepare your site for visitors, complete with signs and fencing if necessary. Visitors will likely expect ample parking and bathroom facilities, so if you’re putting on a larger event or expect sustained visitors throughout a season, it may be worthwhile to rent a portable toilet. 

Having clearly demarcated areas for visitors is one way to keep your animals and guests safe while on the farm!
 

The Risks of Agritourism

Despite the benefits of broadening your offerings beyond open houses, engaging in agritourism require careful pre-planning prior to planning your events. Before embarking on any agritourism ventures, understand any risks or liabilities. Does your insurance cover accidents and injuries that take place during non-farm related events? You could also run into a zoning conflict, or may be required to obtain a permit or variance, such as an event permit if you hope to use your farm for recreational or educational activities. Financially, engaging in certain forms of agritourism can complicate taxes, and if your farm has employees, using your facilities for agritourism can also alter your compensation requirements.
 

Make sure you understand the potential financial risks and other conflicts that may arise before you invest in an agritourism venture.
 

Interested? Learn More about Agritourism

If you're interested in learning more about adding alternative enterprises to your farm, participating in National Alpaca Farm Days this September is a great way to start, by demonstrating activities that you're already doing on a daily basis. Invite the public to your farm to purchase products, interact with the animals, and tour your farm. If you're able to, offer demonstrations on alpaca care and management, and hands on activities for kids and adults alike. If you find that you're successful, why not investigate the possbility of making your farm an agritourism destination!
 

Agritourism Resources: http://tioga.cce.cornell.edu/for-farmers/agritourism

Getting Started in Agritourism: http://senecacountycce.org/resources/getting-started-in-agritourism

Considerations for Agritourism Development: http://senecacountycce.org/resources/considerations-for-agri-tourism-development

Taking the First Step: http://senecacountycce.org/resources/taking-the-first-step-farm-and-ranch-alternative-enterprise-and-agritourism-resource-evaluation-guide

FAQ: Agritourism on your farm: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2019/04/faq-agritourism-on-your-farm/

The Alpaca Farmer's Almanac has officially forecasted the 2019-2020 Winter!

How did your region fare?

Thrive this winter with the help of our U.S. Alpaca products, available at a farm store near you

--> http://bit.ly/alpacafarmstores

The NEAFP team will be observing the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 2nd.

Just a quick break before the unofficial start of fall!
 

See you Tuesday! 

p.s. Don't forget to shop our annual Stock up Sale and get some great deals before time runs out!

The Backpaca Sock was launched in November of 2018 and has quickly become one of our fasting growing U.S. alpaca products.  The fine alpaca hosiery yarn that goes into the Backpaca was years (and many prototypes) in the making and it allowed us to begin making socks on more advanced knitting machines. Giving us a platform to make lightweight U.S. alpaca socks that were comfortable in a wide range of climates and seasons  - we've now launched our 2nd sock in the Backpaca line up!
 

The Backpaca Ankle Sock

This new sock takes the lightweight design of the Backpaca Hiker and
increases it's curb appeal with a rich feature set!

While many of us are still hoping to hold onto summer for just a little while longer, fall brings great opportunities for the alpaca farmer! Farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and harvest festivals will soon lead into holiday bazaars, all of which offer a chance to extend your customer base, boost sales, and expand your brand. Fall and winter are undeniably the busiest seasons for vendors of alpaca products, but how can you make sure that your time and energy are well spent? Take the time now to strategize for fall and winter markets to ensure that your booth is as impressive as the products you sell. 

Start at the Very Beginning

Before you even think about your booth setup, make sure you attend the right events. Ask yourself what type of people will come to a particular market, if the location is easily accessible, and if the event is marketed or advertised. If possible, reach out to like-minded vendors who have worked the event in recent years to hear their perspective and gain valuable insight. While many markets will try to prevent vendors from selling similar products, it is always wise to check for yourself, as redundancy will lead to fewer sales. You want to make sure that your products “fit” within the overall scope of the market, but you won’t want to compete with a handful of similar vendors!

Regardless of how an event is externally marketed, it is your job to market your event on social media. Always share where you will be selling in advance, and be sure to take photos of your booth at the show to create buzz during and after the event! Don’t forget about repeat customers: make sure your website or social media pages are posted on any collateral you have in your booth so that new customers can find you again. Looking to start a mailing list? Put a sign-up sheet in your booth so customers can be notified about future events. 

If you sell a wide range of products, make sure you bring the right products for a particular market. You will likely find that certain products sell better in different locations. In most cases it is important to still offer a variety of products and something for every budget at each show. Be sure to bring smaller, more affordable options for customers who might not be ready to invest in higher price-point items. These more affordable products help introduce customers to your brand and hopefully bring them back for a larger purchase in the future.

We love to share photos of our booths on social media. It's a simple way to get the attention of potential customers who might be interested in perusing your products! We posted this photo during the most recent MAPACA show. Take note of the smaller items for sale on the table: T-Shirts, Bumper Stickers, Key Chains, Pins, and other affordable options! 

Build a Better Booth

Create a booth that is convenient for you and your customers. Ensure that your equipment is easy to set up and take down, and is versatile for different types of events. If you’re given the chance, always set up in high traffic areas, such as those close to the market entrance or on the end of an aisle. A canopy or tent is a great way to protect your products, but it can also make you stand out from the rest of the crowd, especially if it features your logo or information on what you’re selling. If your booth is dimly lit, consider bringing additional lighting to brighten the space and allow customers to better view your products.

Attract shoppers and help them move easily through your booth with a well-organized, user-friendly layout. Placing an inviting table or display towards the front of your booth will increase visibility, while also encouraging visitors to walk in and around it. The more time spent in your space, the greater the chance of a purchase being made! Check to make sure that there are no fixtures, products, or other hazards that could inhibit the flow of traffic.

You will appear less cluttered and disorganized if you keep your fixtures clean and products orderly. Consider using racks, hangers, or clear bins that are easily visible and accessible to shoppers. Fight the urge to put everything out at once. Instead, stay attentive to your displays as you make sales and reorganize them as needed to prevent your booth from looking empty. Pay attention to even minor details. Clear labeling is also key. Many shoppers will choose to walk away rather than ask about pricing, so make sure your customers understand what your products are and how much they cost by using tags and signs.

Our layouts may change depending on the location, but we've made sure our display stands and boxes are easy to move regardless of the situation. Even in an oblong space like this, we made sure there was enough space for customers to flow freely through our booth.

STOCK UP SALE EXTENDED TIL 11:59pm EST Monday September 2nd!

Free Shipping on Orders over $750

+

Orders over $500 receive Free Gift

1x Love Alpaca Hat Pin + 1x No Farms No Socks Bumper Sticker!

+ Select Product Discounts!

10% OFF when buying 10+ Dozen BackPaca's

Stock up on everyone's new favorite lightweight alpaca sock!

10% Our New Natural Knitter's Yarns!

10% OFF our LEAF Shawl

10% OFF Our New LEAF Shawl Poncho!

An Elegant Shawl made from Mother Nature's Finest Alpaca Fiber
 

NEAFP’s LEAF Shawl is perhaps our most elegant product, a delicate knit shawl made of light fawn suri alpaca blend yarn. The shawl perfectly showcases suri fiber's natural luster and beautiful drape and is sure to add a romantic touch to any outfit.

The leaf pattern knit and suri yarn together have produced an amazingly intricate design all while being soft and luxurious to the touch. Generously sized at approximately 22" wide by 72" long, our LEAF Shawl promises to warm cold shoulders on chilly evenings while still being incredibly lightweight.

The perfect accessory for your next special occasion, this show stopping shawl is even more beautiful in person, where its delicate leaf pattern can truly shine.

Contents: 60% US SURI Alpaca, 40% Recycled NYLON

NEW!

LEAF Shawl Poncho now available!
 

We started with our elegant LEAF knit and created a graceful asymmetrical poncho. The refined knit pattern made using soft alpaca has created a stunning poncho, absolutely beautiful in person! Generously sized and flattering for all body shapes, this pullover poncho will quickly become a timeless staple in any wardrobe.

Warm, soft, and feminine, this poncho adds a luxurious alpaca touch to any outfit.

Available in a natural Dark Fawn color.

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

Care Instructions: Spot Clean By Hand, Using Cool Water & Mild Wool Detergent, Lay Flat to Dry
 

NEAFP will be taking our annual Summer Break from June 28th until July 7th.

All orders and support that come in during the week of 4th of July will begin heading out when we return.

We hope you all have a wonderful relaxing 4th of July and we look forward to hitting the ground running!

We are excited to release our newest addition, Sportweight, to our All Natural line of Knitter's Yarn!

This new All Natural Sport Weight Knitter's Yarn is made using U.S. Grown Alpaca blended with U.S. Merino Wool. It's soft, warm, and cozy and the lighter Sport Weight yarn allows for intricate and smooth knitting.

Skeins are 3.5 oz and approximately 300 yards each. This yarn is a 3 ply, giving it a nice hand, improved strength, and consistent making it perfect for a wide range of knitting projects.

Soft, smooth, and bright - a truly beautiful yarn!

Contents: 70% US Alpaca, 30% US Merino

Needle Size: 5-7

Backpaca Jack is hanging up his backpack for the day to commandeer the grill, talk about how much easier crias have it these days, and tell some (not so) funny jokes: Meet Dadpaca Jack!

Happy Father's Day!

Today we raise a glass to all dads: new, old, grandads, stepdads, and everything in between! Thank you for all you've done and continue to do for the "crias" in your life!
 

By the way, we were so excited about Father's Day we might have also included a Sneak Peek of our latest product. Stay tuned for the release of The Fat Alpaca Coaster!

We've added Fawn DK to our lineup of natural yarns!

Earlier this year we announced the release of our new DK Knitter's Yarn, featuring an all-natural blend of fiber. We're excited to introduce the same 70% Alpaca, 30% Merino blend now in Fawn!

This new All Natural DK Weight Knitter's Yarn is made using U.S. Grown Alpaca blended with U.S. Merino Wool. It's soft, warm, and cozy and the DK weight is fast knitting and perfect for a wide range of patterns.

Skeins are 3.5 oz and approximately 185 yards each. This yarn is a 2 ply, giving it nice hand and improved strength for a wide variety of projects.

Soft, smooth, and bright - a truly beautiful yarn!

Contents: 70% US Alpaca, 30% US Merino

Needle Size: 9-10
 

p.s. Can't get enough of our new All Natural DK Knitter's Yarn? Check out our DK Weight Unicorn Yarns available now as part of our Limited Small Batch category!

NEAFP is heading to the AOA Fiber Extravaganza!

In just a few short weeks, NEAFP will be heading to Nashville, Tennessee in for the AOA’s Natural Fiber Extravaganza. Held from July 19th through the 21st, the Natural Fiber Extravaganza is a celebration of all things alpaca fiber. Join other alpaca farmers for a weekend of fleece and fiber art shows, workshops and seminars, and even alpaca yoga!

A number of competitions will take place throughout the weekend, including a spin-off, fiber arts competition, student design competition, and alpaca photo contest. Of course, AOA’s International Fleece Show, the largest Alpaca Fleece show in the northern hemisphere, is not to be missed. Looking to bolster your alpaca-related skills or knowledge? Exciting workshops will allow for hands-on experience in skills such as spinning, felting, and dyeing, while seminars throughout the weekend promise to educate on a range of topics ranging from marketing to sustainable fashion.

NEAFP will be one of many vendors available to peruse, so come place your order for U.S. alpaca products and check out some of our exciting new items like our Alpaca T-shirts! Don’t forget to register on the AOA website for the Carbon Farming Seminar led by NEAFP’s own Chris Riley. Chris recently organized a carbon farming group of local alpaca farms, federal, state and local agriculture organizations to study carbon farming and its effect on the environment. Chris is excited to share what he has learned about sustainability and the intersection between carbon farming and alpaca farms on Sunday, July 21st.

We hope to see you there!

Just in time for Mother's Day! A Shareable graphic about Alpaca moms and their crias!

Check out our other downloadable graphics in previous blog posts:

1.  The Camelidae Family

2.  4 Common Alpaca Myths

3.  Earth Day: The Sustainable Alpaca

Feel free to share it on your social media page or print it and use it at your next farmer's market as an educational resource.

Download the printer-friendly file here!

Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com

Our May 2019 NEAFP Note newsletter is officially out!

In this NEAFP Note:

• Happy Mother's Day
• Article: Brand Identity
• New Unicorn Yarn Colorway
• New limited T-Shirt Colorway
• RSVP for Parade of Champions
• RSVP for 10th Annual Shearing Competition

Read it in full here: http://bit.ly/2019MAYNeafpNote

Our 2nd round of Love Alpaca Mandala T-Shirts are finished and ready to ship now.

Along with a restock in our existing color ways we also produced a limited run of the Navy Shirts w/ Pink graphics and they came out beautiful!

Although it's been raining for about a month straight here in our neck of the woods, we channeled the warmer months to put together this cute Outfit of the Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

We wanted to celebrate a little early to share our latest colorway of Unicorn Yarn.

Inspired by all of our Mother's unconditional love, Forget Me Not is hand-painted on our latest all natural DK Weight Knitter's Yarn.

Once shearing is behind you, and you’ve taken some time to breathe, you may find it worthwhile to review your branding strategy for the coming year.

As we’ve discussed before, it is important to understand and use different branding strategies to achieve success. From choosing and photographing your products, to exploring different avenues of social media marketing, now is the time to reflect on the messages you hope to communicate to your potential customers. Most farms could not be successful without patronage by their local community members, who look to them for alpaca products, educational information and opportunities to engage with the animals. The way that you brand yourself can make you a more visible authority on all things alpaca, driving your influence in your local community.

Educate and Communicate

Get Involved

In addition to becoming an educational resource, strive to become an active member of your local community. Don’t forget that your farm itself can be an important community space, as many alpaca farms have begun offering their site as an event space for fitness activities like yoga and private events like weddings. Consider reaching out to local portrait photographers to see if they’d be interested in using your property as a shoot location! While you may already participate local market events, think about other ways to increase your brand recognition through community engagement. Go to local events with alpacas, even out of market season, and remember to keep your social media active!

In the spirit of Earth Day, we're highlighting how alpacas are ecologically friendly in our newest downloadable, sharable graphic.

Check out our other downloadable graphics in previous blog posts:

1.  The Camelidae Family

2.  4 Common Alpaca Myths

Feel free to share it on your social media page or print it and use it at your next farmer's market as an educational resource.
 

Download the printer-friendly file here!

Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com