We are often asked about keeping alpacas and how we got into being smallholders, so we have decided to share our knowledge and experiences through two bespoke one day courses.

Getting started with Alpacas: This course covers the basics of why choose alpacas, preparing your holding, animal selection, feeding & nutrition, health & husbandry, breeding & cria care, the fibre market and diversification. The course will offer participants lots of opportunity to learn how to handle alpacas and develop their husbandry skills.

Quit the Rat Race - A guide to becoming a Smallholder: Most of us have dreamt of living the Good Life, but if you really think that this is for you, then this course is the place to start. We'll discuss the reality of being a smallholder, we'll challenge your vision and look into farming life, warts and all. If we haven't put you off by morning coffee, we'll get into the joy of working outdoors, the responsibility and rewards of caring for animals and the miracle of creating new life. We hope that at the end of course you will know whether the smallholding life is for you.

The courses are informal, practical and hands-on. Run in small groups, each course costs £95 per person (£175 per couple). As a good deal of the content is outside, check the weather forecast and come prepared!

Please contact us to find out more.