The Michigan Alpaca Association is a newly formed association that was formed to advance the alpaca industry in the State of Michigan.
The association is a collective of alpaca owners, breeders, fiber processors, commercial producers, educational and research institutions within the state of Michigan. The association’s purpose is to support and advance Michigan’s alpaca industry.
We Welcome You!
The Michigan Alpaca Association welcomes you to the wonderful world of alpaca farming in Michigan! We exist to support and enhance the alpaca industry and promote alpaca farming in Michigan.
Rasing alpacas in Michigan is very popular because alpacas are well suited to the cold winters. Their incredibly warm coats of fiber match up well to harsh Michigan winters, while the shorn coats do equally well during hot summer days.
With an abundance of experienced alpaca breeders, veterinarians, and the support of the Michigan Alpaca Association, farming in Michigan is rewarding, fun, and a great business!
Locate an alpaca farm near you and set up a visit today and experience these incredible creatures for yourself! Our farms welcome visitors and will be more than happy to educate you on alpaca farming.
The Association’s History
Alpacas were first imported to the United States from South America by private individuals beginning in 1984 – imports came mostly from Peru, Chile, and Bolivia and were conducted according to a screening method developed by US importers to ensure the finest foundation stock were selected to form the US National herd.
On June 17 of 1988, 38 alpaca owners gathered at Shanty Creek Lodge in Bellaire, Michigam to begin the formation of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), which was recognized as the national association for the US alpaca industry.
From this meeting, the Alpaca Registry was also formed. This registry requires DNA verification for alpaca registry, which was a first for camelids. The registry was closed to new imports in 1998.
In 2010, the Michigan Alpaca Livestock Products And Commerce Association (MI-ALPACA) was formed to advance the alpaca industry in the State of Michigan through the joint efforts of alpaca breeders, fiber processors, and commercial producers/sellers of alpaca finished products, Michigan educational institutions and alpaca research organizations. This nonprofit association dissolved in later years.
In the fall of 2019, a new association was formed and formally registered as Michigan Alpaca Association LLC. This group is registered within the state of Michigan.
The new association is being formed by the following members:
Jason & Rebecca Gill of Cotton Creek Farms
Dave & Kari Speckman of Northern Blessings Alpacas
Help Us Craft a New Association
As we form the new Michigan Alpaca Association, we’d like to make sure we structure it to best serve existing farms, new farms, and those who are interested in becoming alpaca farmers. We’d also like the new association to be inclusive. As such, it will serve all those who participate in the industry and it will be open to spinners, fiber processors, manufacturers, and distributors.
The more we know about, your origins, and your current struggles, the more we can provide services and support to help you succeed.
Please take a moment to complete a questionnaire, which will help us help you! This questionnaire applies to existing farms and those interested in becoming alpaca farmers.