Send us an email at: alpaca@greatlakes.net
- Gromek Farms Alpacas; located in Yale, Michigan; is a small farm breeder of registered Suri and Huacaya Alpacas that include origins from Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Our website is full of information about these wonderful critters. You will find information about alpacas as pets, herdsires, protecting your investment, small business opportunities, alpacas and the IRS, alpaca festivals, alpaca shows, alpaca care and facilities, alpaca fleece and rovings. Gromek Farms Alpacas is proud to be a member of A.O.B.A., G.L.A.A., The Suri Network and A.O.B.A. Show Division.
This site was last updated on May 8, 2008.Click below to read about "What Is A Gromek Farms Alpaca?" Click here to .
Yale, Michigan, home of Gromek Farms Alpacas, while not related to the college bearing the same name, is also a bastion of tradition, knowledge, history and success nestled in the beautiful countryside. Gromek Farms Alpacas is owned and managed by Felice and Dan Gromek. Eleven-year-old daughter, Sarah, is the alpaca Promotion Director.
They found their gem, an old 120-acre former dairy farm, about ten years ago. Felice and Dan were both born and bred city-folk, in addition to being self-proclaimed workaholics. They escaped the frantic city pace for Yale, a small farming community 90 minutes north of Detroit. Their barns and 10 acres are now dedicated to 50 plus alpacas, all located on gently rolling land with scattered wood lots of oak, birch and maple.
After completing their Business Planning course work, they sat down and determined their prerequisites and stuck to them. The venture had to be financially rewarding (not an expensive hobby); and qualify in the eyes of the IRS. Critter care had to be something they could do while chasing their daughter Sarah. The animals had to be durable and hardy and required facilities needed to be minimal and low cost; be a ground-floor business opportunity and finally, critters must be enjoyable to be with to assure no business "burn-out" in future years. They began to wonder if this was an impossible goal.
They fell in love with alpacas at first site, purchased two, and the rest is history. Gromek Farms Alpacas is a full-service operation, specializing in breeding A.R.I. registered huacaya and suri alpacas of color. The Gromek Philosophy does not necessarily follow trends, but prefers providing the best quality animals and fiber. They like to term it "quality of animals vs. name brand."
Gromek Farms Alpacas Offers: - Quality: Many blue ribbon winners and their offspring.
- Support: Best in the business. Seminars, alpaca shows and more.
- Warranties: Extensive. Our reputation means everything.
- Financing: Available to qualified clients.
- Full Service: We offer sales, boarding, seminars, marketing, brokering and herdsire services.
- Breeding: Offering controlled, supervised pen breeding.
"What Is A Gromek Farms Alpaca?"
Alpacas (al pak’ e) were first domesticated by the ancient Inca civilization in South America. These ancient peoples believed that these beautiful little creatures of long necks and tranquil grace were a gift from the gods. With their care the wild vicuna (which produces the world’s finest fleece) was domesticated into today’s alpaca. The alpaca of today produces a cashmere fine fleece in 16 recognized luxurious natural colors.
With the coming of the Spanish conquistadors, the alpacas were almost annihilated. These wonderful animals survived because of their importance to the native people. Also, the alpacas were able to thrive at altitudes and conditions where other domestic animals would die. South American alpacas today are found in these same harsh environments where only the fit survive. Because of this, our alpacas are very hardy and trouble free.
In the mid 1800’s, Sir Titus Salt of London, England discovered the fabulous qualities of alpaca fiber. Today alpaca garments are found in the finest fashion houses in the world.
The first importation of alpacas into North America came in 1984. They have been in demand ever since. In 1998, the alpaca registry membership voted to close the registry. This ended the importation stage of this rapidly evolving industry. North America now contains the best alpaca genetics from all South American countries. With our superior care and breeding programs, the North American alpaca will quickly become the best in the world. Compared to hundreds of millions of sheep, horses and cattle in North America, the alpaca is truly a rare and precious resource.
The alpaca stands about 36 inches tall at the withers and weighs approximately 140 pounds. Their life span is approximately 20 years and gestation is 11 months, with only one cria (baby) being born. Alpacas eat primarily grass, chew their cud and deposit their dung in fixed spots for easy clean up. The alpaca comes in two types, the huacaya and suri. Their main difference is their fleece type. The huacaya has a crimpy fleece. This makes the fleece stand straight out from the body. This gives the huacaya its huggable teddy bear look. The suri has no crimp in its fleece so it hangs in lock structures. With the added luster of the suri fleece, the suri's take on a regal look.
Alpaca owners enjoy a very strong and healthy national association (A.O.B.A.), the best state of the art registry in the world (A.R.I.). Virtually, every alpaca in North America is registered. Alpacas make an excellent investment as well as lovable pets. They have padded feet and are gentle on the land. Easy to transport in the family van, they can be raised on very small acreage. Alpacas are safe, clean and intelligent critters that often produce a humming sound. They sometimes prong around the field like antelope when happy. The alpacas create a healthy lifestyle while offering generous returns on your investment. Alpacas are a unique stress free investment you can hug.
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