Alpacas by the Brook

Member, Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association

Member, Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association - Show Division

Member, The Alpaca Registry, Inc.

Member, United States Animal Health Association

Member, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners

Member, Alpacas of Minnesota

Member, Lamas of Minnesota

Dealer, Schacht Spindle Co.

Dealer, Louet North America

Dealer, Indigo Hound
.

***Interested in working part time at the farm? We do occasionally hire part time helpers to assist with alpaca care and feeding, general barn and grounds maintenance, fiber organization and sales and the wide variety of tasks that are required to keep an alpaca farm operating and thriving. Contact Julie at info@alpacasbythebrook.com for more details.

***Unable to make a long term commitment and interested in learning about alpacas and their care? Consider our volunteer program. Volunteering at the farm can be a great way to learn about alpacas. Contact Julie at info@alpacasbythebrook.com for more details.

***Now Available: Boarding services for 2018 - 2019

(see below)

Farm Philosophy:
We consider it a privilege to own alpacas. We believe adequate shelter, optimal nutrition and basic training are necessary to allow each alpaca to achieve its full potential.

Farm History:
Alpacas by the Brook began in 1996 with the purchase of two female alpacas. With the purchase of 28 acres of pasture, woodlands, rolling hills and bluffs on the banks of Carver Creek, the home of Alpacas by the Brook was established. Since then our herd and knowledge have grown substantially. We invite you to come for a visit.

Alpaca Training:
Goals of basic training at Alpacas by the Brook are to produce an alpaca that is both safe and pleasant. Basic training at Alpacas by the Brook includes an emphasis on mutual respect of personal space and purpose, ability to pick up feet, inspect mouth, tolerate touching of all areas of the body, halter training and leading.

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***Now Available: Boarding services for 2018 - 2019

Dreaming of owning alpacas but no where to put them? Consider boarding at our farm. The farm is conveniently located on US Hwy 212 just west of Chaska for easy access to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Short and long term boarding services available. Discounted rates available for hands on actively involved boarders. Email us at info@alpacasbythebrook.com for more information.

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FOR SALES and BOARDING INQUIRIES or to schedule a farm visit, please email us at info@alpacasbythebrook.com.

Farm visits and tours are by appointment only. A minimum $ 18.00 per person charge applies to all farm tours to compensate for ABB Inc. staff time. We look forward to your visit.

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Upcoming Events:

Email us at info@alpacasbythebrook.com NOW

to request

Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 Class schedules

and for class registration information!!!

Spinning, weaving, knitting, croqueting, fiber arts, fiber preparation and general alpacas care, training and handling classes now available!!! Email us at info@alpacasbythebrook.com for details.

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Ongoing Events:

Call or email us today for our upcoming class and seminar schedule.

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Recent Events:

Our annual Shearing was done in late May this year (2018). Thanks to Biosecure Alpaca Shearing (Micah) for a efficient and pleasant shearing experience despite the record-breaking heat.

***Note: We can always use helpful volunteers for shearing day preparations and on shearing day. Please contact us by email at info@alpacasbythebrook.com if you are interested.

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Private and Small Group Classes by appointment - Year Round

Contact us to request class schedule and to register for upcoming classes. Upcoming class topics include alpaca care and handling, spinning, fiber preparation, dyeing, wet and dry (needle) felting, toiletry making, and quilting. Whether you are new to alpacas and/or the fiber arts or want to refine your skills, we have or can customize the class for you. Ask about small group discounts for groups of 5 or more.

Private farm visits by appointment - Year Round

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Past Events:

National Alpaca Farm Days and Alpacas of Minnesota Farm Tour

Sat. September 27 - Sun. September 28, 2008

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

We will be providing a variety of demonstrations as listed below (see Alpacas of Minnesota Farm Tour information for last year's event). Your favorite alpaca and other fiber-related products will be available for sale. Come and get a start on your holiday shopping...for yourself, for your friends and for your family!!! In addition to Chiaki and Dan O'Brien of SAORI Free-Style Weaving Studio and Kristin of 2 Dye 4 and Kristin Knits, Melanie Weberg of Shear Essence Alpacas will be joining us. Melanie will have information about upcoming crias which will be available for sale. This is your opportunity to reserve spectacular offspring with award-winning pedigrees and outstanding genetics. You can visit Melanie and her alpacas at web.me.com/shearessencealpacas. Sarah Linder, CPA will also join us this year. In addition to her talents and skill as a lifelong knitter and fiber artist, Sarah specializes in small business accounting and taxation. She is also a QuickBooks ® Certified ProAdviser. She is available for consultation and income tax preparation and filing. Contact her at sasaliner@aol.com.

Please note: There will be no barn tours 12:30pm – 1:30pm to allow time for Alpacas by the Brook staff and alpacas to rest and eat lunch. The Fiber Room™ will be open and other demonstrations will be continued throughout the lunch break. Barn tours will resume again at approximately 1:30 pm.

Nearest public restrooms are available 6 to 7 miles east of the farm on US Hwy 212 in the town of Chaska or 2 to 3 miles west of the farm on US Hwy 212 in the town of Cologne. Please note: No public restrooms are available at the farm.

Alpacas of Minnesota Farm Tour

Sat. October 6 - Sun. October 7, 2007

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

We are delighted to announce that Chiaki and Dan O'Brien of SAORI Free-Style Weaving Studio "FUN" will be joining us this year. Weaving demonstrations and hands-on weaving lessons throughout the day. Woven items such as scarves and handmade cards will be available for sale.

In addition, join us for a day of alpaca care and handling, spinning, fiber preparation and felting demonstrations. Alpacas, alpaca fiber and alpaca-related products for sale. We have expanded our line of alpaca products available for sale in The Fiber Room this year to include luxurious, ready-to-spin, 100% alpaca combed top as well as a wide selection of alpaca and alpaca blend yarns.

Kristin Knits will offer a variety of fiber-related products for sale including handmade fiber items such as hand painted fiber and yarn, homemade soaps, Bath Blocks and learn to spin kits.

Sign up for classes in quilting, spinning, knitting, dyeing, wet or dry(needle) felting, toiletry making, and alpaca care and handling.

Free to the Public. Whether you are a new friend or an old friend, we look forward to your visit.

Alpaca Matters Midwest Field Days - Open House

Sat. October 14 - Sun. October 15, 2006

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Alpaca care and handling, spinning, fiber preparation and felting demonstrations. Alpacas, alpaca fiber and alpaca-related products available for sale. In addition, Susan of Morningside Farms and Kristin Knits will offer a variety of fiber-related products for sale including handmade fiber items and alpaca-related seasonal decorations for the home, including Christmas tree ornaments, hand painted fiber and yarn, knitting patterns, homemade soaps, Bath Blocks, and learn to spin kits. Sign up for classes in quilting, spinning, knitting, dyeing, wet or dry (needle) felting, toiletry making, and alpaca care and handling.

A fun educational event! Free to the Public. We look forward to your visit!

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Alpacas by the Brook Christmas Tree Program

Looking for an old-fashioned Christmas experience??? Call NOW to reserve your Christmas tree for yourself or the friend or family of your choice. For a small fee you can reserve your own tree and experience the fun and joy of watching it grow along the hills and bluffs of Carver Creek at Alpacas by the Brook. You decide when you cut your tree...now or in 5 or 10 years...depending on the size of tree that you want... so fun... and so traditional... You can even bring your family for an annual photo (by appointment) and photograph your tree with you, your friends and/or your family as your tree grows. Good for the heart and great for the soul!!! Also good for the environment!!!

Introductory offer: $ 59.99 to pick and reserve the baby Christmas tree of your choice. You pick the tree and we do the rest!!!

Alternatively, we can select the tree for you and have it cut and ready to pick up. Just call ahead (at least 48 hours notice) and we will have your tree ready for you to pick up...and, of course, you can stop and say "Hi!" to the alpacas while you are here!!! Call or email for pricing and availability.

Alpacas by the Brook Seedling and Sapling Program

Seedlings and saplings of the following varieties are available: green ash, basswood, sugar maple, white oak, swamp white oak and bur oak ... all growing in their native habitat on the 28 acres of
Alpacas by the Brook . Please call or email for pricing and availability.

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Recognition and Thanks:

Here on our home page, we wish to recognize and thank those individuals and businesses who have provided exceptional advice and/or service. Our success and happiness here at Alpacas by the Brook is, in part, due to the assistance of these fine individuals and businesses. We wish to THANK them as true FRIENDS OF ALPACAS BY THE BROOK!!!

December 2007: Marc Macke of Agency 10 Insurance

Marc Macke, CIC

Agency 10 Insurance

Phone: 763-551-1010

Fax: 763-559-1340

Website: www.agency10.com

Email: mmacke@agency10.com

Address: 6499 Sycamore Court N

Maple Grove, MN 55369

I cannot say enough good things about Marc and the insurance services that he and his associates have provided.

Shortly after Alpacas by the Brook incorporated, I became suspicious that my auto, property and commercial insurance policies were not providing adequate coverage for the farming business activities when I tried to add coverage for the farm’s livestock trailer to the policy and ran into difficulties. As I tried to sort through the insurance maze, I talked to several agents and spent a lot of not-so-productive time until a friend referred me to Marc and Agency 10 Insurance. During my initial phone conversation with Marc, it quickly became apparent that my existing Farmers Insurance policy did NOT have adequate coverage to meet my needs as a thriving alpaca farm. Having grown up on a farm himself and having ongoing ties and involvement in a family farm, Marc had a good understanding of the insurance issues which are relevant to farms and was able to assist me in the selection of the most appropriate insurance policies to cover the activities of Alpacas by the Brook, Inc.

I have found Marc and his staff to be pleasant and helpful. Marc is a knowledgable advocate if and when the need to file an insurance claim arises.

Based on my experiences, I wholeheartedly recommend Marc Macke and Agency 10 for all of your insurance needs. If you are involved in the alpaca or a similar livestock business, I strongly encourage you to review your insurance policy to be sure that it is a true farm policy and that it does indeed cover your commercial farming activities. If you are uncertain or simply want a fresh look at your insurance issues and needs, I suggest that you call Agency 10 Insurance for an insurance review and competitive insurance quote!!!

Thanks Marc and Agency 10 Insurance … for peace of mind and a pleasant efficient insurance experience!!!

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Directions to our Farm:

We are conveniently located 6 to 7 miles west of downtown Chaska, Minnesota at the southwest corner of US Hwy 212 and Kelly Avenue.

As of July 14, 2008, the new US Hwy 212 is open all the way from Eden Prairie to its point of termination about 3 miles west of downtown Chaska on old US Hwy 212. This 4-lane highway provides a speedy stress-free drive from the southwestern suburbs of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. If you are traveling via this route, once you reach the western end of the new US Hwy 212, you will continue approximately 3 miles west on old US Hwy 212 to Kelly Ave. We are located at the southwest corner of old US Hwy 212 and Kelly Ave.

Farm visits and tours are by appointment only. A minimum $ 18.00 per person charge applies to all farm tours to compensate for ABB Inc. staff time. We look forward to your visit.

Alpacas by the Brook, Inc.

Julie K. Drier, President

12620 Kelly Avenue, Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: 612-964-PACA or 952-466-2233
E-mail: info@alpacasbythebrook.com
FOR SALES INQUIRIES, please email us at info@alpacasbythebrook.com.