Alpaca Tribe

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we hear about when dreams become reality. Listen in to Errin's story of her new arrivals on the farm in Indiana. Three male alpacas - five days before we spoke. Two suris and a huacaya. Delightful animals from the rescue farm run by April and Bryan, Fabled Farm Rescue and Sanctuary  https://fabledfarmrescue.org/ Errin did her research...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, two of my favourite things are seasons and noticing. When we notice something, we need to hold it long enough, until we are sure. We seem to be changing seasons. Yellow leaves dropping from the trees - or is it just from the heat wave a few weeks ago? The brambles seem to be confused and are producing new flowers and fruit at the same time...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have a question for you about what keeping alpacas is all about for you. No right answers but yours. We have been having some welcome rain of late - why don't you come for a walk with me, in the rain! Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your b...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to help those of you who are thinking more seriously about keeping alpacas. It is not for everyone and is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is one of the best things I have ever done and, at times one of the hardest. There are many things to learn and most will be on-the-job experience. The alpacas will teach you. A friendly br...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I predictably complain about the weather. I am British, after all! Strangers on the farm and more welcome visitors - swallows, ducks and dragonflies . Keep the water topped up during the hot weather and try to spend some time with your alpacas - you may want to avoid direct sunlight! Take care and hope to see you again soon. Thanks for lis...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, it is a great day for a walk and a talk with the alpacas. The lake is starting to fill again (slowly, though it might not last) The girls were nicely arranged around the buildings waiting for my arrival. Pic omn the website for you. If you can, go spend some time with an alpaca. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can cont...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I explore how I think about normal and variations from it. A laid-back summer episode. Also do go check out this podcast from The Carbon Almanac https://carbon-sessions.captivate.fm/episodes/1#showEpisodes Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from you...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am thinking about how funny alpacas can be and how they are a delight to be around. Remember to always laugh with them, not at them - that goes for those significant humans in your life too! Millie the matriarch and Megan and Alys all get a mention. What do you do with your alpacas for fun? Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we hear some sounds and reflect on what you think of when someone says "the sound of summer". We also have a valley update and yet more sounds we are hearing. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am thinking about the march of time and how it is marked by seasons and regular activities. I also share how I am particularly grateful for the benefits of alpaca pace to my life. What about you? Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browse...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am considering how to make sense of the things that happen. Sometimes they are random, sometimes they are the result of our actions and sometimes they mean something. But not always. For example, there is no connection between me planning to shear and it starting to rain - at least I don't think so! Make your plans, stay flexible and inc...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we will be thinking about what success means to us. It could be the first time you do something, the repeats that increase your skill, or it could be consistency over time. Success means different things to different people and also over time. The Carbon Almanac is going to be an amazing printed resource for people who care about the plane...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we are thinking about the future and change and how we can prepare, or at least ask the right kind of questions. When change happens slowly we may not notice it as much but we will still experience the impact at some point. Climate change, sourcing feed, delivery challenges, sustainability and regeneration. We have to take account of so mu...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we talk about finishing the shearing for the whole herd. So welcome! Learning as always - about the alpacas, individually and collectively. Learning about ourselves. Confidence and clarity. Preparation and mindset. It all works in together. What does success look like to you? Moving target, so take the small wins and let them build togethe...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we talk shearing and give a valley update. I had forgotten how physical shearing is and am now suitably tired and we are only partway through! Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heather...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I explore some things I have found that surprise alpacas. Their curiosity normally intervenes but sometimes they do make a little jump first. It includes: sudden movements loud sounds unexpected objects things underfoot things being blown around Check out your local environment to reduce potential impact. What things have surprised your al...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to explore how we can talk with our alpacas. I am sure we talk to them but do you know when they talk back? Our aim is to better understand what our alpacas need. If we listen (including watching) they will talk to us. Three questions: What do you notice? What does it mean? What should I do about it (and when)? Not a magic wand, jus...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I explore change, considering how we approach it and the difference between things we have no control over and things we can affect. World scale changes will affect us, maybe not today or even tomorrow, but soon. As always, I encourage you to go spend some time with your alpacas and enjoy the moment. Let me know your thoughts. The podcasti...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I encourage us to be kind to ourselves and allow mistakes to be learning opportunities - but it is not easy. Listen in to a valley update and Amelia's latest strangeness. Planning for a mini-series on growing older - both our alpacas and us! Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.co...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I have learnt many things while keeping alpacas - obviously about them but also about me. In this episode, I share three of those life lessons that transfer to 'normal living' not just alpacas. Patience Attention Loss and love What have you learnt from alpacas? Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I give a valley update, talk about what spooked the girls and what we can do about it and consider how we move forward in our experience of keeping alpacas by increasing traction and reducing friction. A CAMELIDynamics Virtual Conference - 2-day virtual conference with amazing guest speakers and camelid focussed knowledge. Thanks for liste...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I notice some things and invite you to become more aware of what you notice. Alpacas are great to be around when your head is spinning with problems and questions that don't have answers. It kind of puts things into perspective. So do yourself a favour and spend some time with an alpaca - or the next best thing, an episode of alpaca tribe!...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am in conversation with Lanette Frietag of FeltLOOM. Lanette has long-term experience of alpacas and other fibre animals, and even owned some of the early imports of alpacas to the US. Before that she had llamas. How do you scale up your use of fleece to make living, or at least cover the costs of feeding your alpacas? We all face that c...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we will be revisiting the first episode of the podcast - over three years ago - hardly seems possible. It was a good reminder to me of where we started and why - I would love to know what you think and what you would like more of - drop me an email to steve@alpacatribe.com. Can't wait to hear from you. Spring is my favourite time of year -...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we are thinking about Spring. As we pass the spring equinox the sun gets stronger and warmer. Ideal alpaca sunbathing weather. Thoughts also turn towards... spring things. What is the word that comes after Spring? In the US it may well be... Break as in Spring Break. Here in the UK my thoughts turn to Spring Cleaning Listen in to find out...