At what point in life does one consider becoming an alpaca owner? It may be during your career building years. Many have found the
tax breaks to be profitable. Perhaps, like our neighboring farms, it is a life choice; a decision to raise their children on beautiful, rolling acres caring for these gentle inquisitive animals. For us, it was an evolution.
Hello, my name is Roni Fogelman. My husband Fred and I own Racheal Farms in Dover, Pennsylvania. Every alpaca farmer has a story, so here is ours…
Fred was already retired and running a small antique business in Toledo, Ohio while I was still completely immersed in my corporate management career. Life was pretty good but it kept us living eight hours away from our three children and six grandchildren. We longed to return to the mountains of Pennsylvania.
Like most, our introduction to this new world began with a documentary on alpacas, hours searching alpaca sites on the Internet and long discussions over our morning tea. There were so many questions: would we enjoy country life again (we had both grown up on farms)? Could we financially afford for me to give up my career? Would we be able to manage the physical work in our 60’s? So many questions; we needed to find the answers.
The next step was a visit to Magical Farms in Litchfield, Ohio. Luckily, it was just an hour away. Magical is the largest alpaca farm in the country, with over 1600 animals. The Forstner family and the Magical staff were wonderful mentors. From the first visit with my 10 pages of questions to the many frantic phone calls once we moved our girls to Racheal Farms, they were only a phone call away. The best advice I can offer anyone is to find a farm and family you trust and with whom you have the greatest confidence. They will be your guiding light.
The next two years were filled with anticipation, unexpected setbacks, excitement and work! We purchased our first alpaca before we found our property. We welcomed three more before the barn was built; and had two cria before the fencing was complete. Our story is captured in these video clips.
Fred and I are now happily residing with our girls and our St. Bernard, Dolly, who watches over them. We are anticipating several lovable cria in the spring and fall. As for our family…we are now complete.
If we can do it…anyone can do it…you only need to dream!
Roni & Fred Fogelman
Racheal Farms
Dover, PA
www.rachealfarms.com
