CARAWAY ALPACAS HISTORY

Caraway Alpacas, Inc. is family owned and operated by Bobby and Ann Poole and Mike and Teresa Johnson on farmland handed down for nine generations. The farm is located eight miles west of Asheboro, North Carolina where seventeen acres of alpaca populated pastures lie on beautifully rolling terrain, surrounded by many more acres of untouched woodland with a view of ascending mountains to the north and west.

Ann retired from Burlington Industries after 31 years in computer information systems.  Her husband Bobby retired from Eveready after 29 years.  Their daughter Teresa worked for the Department of the Army for 20 years before opting to seek a different career.  So, the three began brainstorming to determine what they could do with the family farm land that would earn an income, involve animals but not the slaughter of animals.  They were considering fish farming when they read an article in a Small Farming Magazine about raising alpacas.  Thus began a love affair that has grown over the past several years.

Caraway Alpacas, Inc. was established in 1997 with a starter herd of six alpacas on two acres of pasture cleared by the chainsaws of family and friends, and a small barn built by Bobby, Mike, and Mike's father. In just two years it became necessary to expand the farm to accommodate the growing herd. So, fifteen more acres were cleared (this time by bulldozers and dump trucks) and geodesic huts were built to quarter the adult male alpacas.

In addition to creating the proper physical space for the alpacas, Ann, Bobby, Teresa and Mike have learned how to care for their animals.  They give shots when necessary, attend the birthing of crias, shear in the spring, spin, knit, felt and weave the fiber.  They have developed their system of pasture management and farm security.  Their four Great Pyrenees are constant companions to the herds, barking a warning if anything goes awry.

Through their own research, taking classes at the community college, attending seminars held by the Southeastern Alpaca Association, Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association and other farms, their knowledge base continues to increase.  Having a reliable vet who is conscientiously learning about alpacas to call upon and share information with has helped all to learn the still young business of raising alpacas. Dr. Mark Hamrick of Lexington Large Animal Surgery and Medicine makes frequent visits to Caraway Alpacas, Inc., ensuring the good health of the herds. 

As Caraway Alpacas, Inc. entered seven years of operation and growth, a third expansion was constructed.  A new multifunctional facility was built to house female alpacas and cria, to centralize administrative operations, to exhibit alpaca products, and to provide space for a spinning and weaving studio.