Fuzzy and Friendly Alpacas
By Colleen Nelson
Friendly, polite, easy to raise, and downright adorable are just some of the qualities that bring families out to take the Lippencott Alpaca tour, offered year-round at Hawkins Farm in Lippincott, Pennsylvania. In a field full of fuzzy alpacas, one will find plenty of elbowroom, as the animals cluster around to be learned from and admired.
Lena Hawkins Galing is the fourth generation on a Century Farm. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Hawkins, purchased the old Bell Farm after the Civil War and cultivated everything a family needed.
She said she still remembers Lippincott the way it used to be, with the blacksmith shop open along State Route 221 and her grade school, the brick building that is now Open Door Christian School. She remembers the little store too.
Her father, James Hawkins, and his nine siblings walked to the one room schoolhouse that is now shrouded in overgrowth but still stands near the Cox Farm Covered Bridge.
Lena and her husband, Phil Galing, returned from Germany and were considering animals to raise on the farm. After attending Waynesburg’s first Sheep and Fiber Festival in 2003, they decided to raise alpacas for their fine fibers. They bought their first five alpacas in November 2005.
Fun Fact: Did you know Abraham Lincoln’s campaign coat was made of alpaca fiber from England?
Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America and were finally imported to America in 1983. Pennsylvania was the first state to officially recognize alpacas as livestock rather than exotic species. This helps owners receive farm loans and take advantage of other benefits.
Any day of the year, you can see white alpacas in the pastures on the farm with a few females pregnant with “crias” or babies. At one time, Lippencott Alpacas had 36 alpacas with multiple colors of fleece. Just so you know, Alpacas enjoy being scratched under the chin. They also step politely out of the way when you ask them.
Plan a day out with the family and head to Lippencott Alpacas. Experiencing the softness of alpaca fiber is something you don’t want to miss. Then explore the farm store filled with hats, gloves, scarfs, socks and stuffed animals. Or check out the variety of unique yarns to create a custom project of your own. If you are unsure of your knitting capabilities, Lippencott Alpacas even has a knitting group that welcomes new students!
Follow along with Lippencott Alpacas on Facebook. Or call 724-852-4084 to schedule your tour and farm visit.
Lippencott Alpacas also participates in National Alpaca Farm Days during the last weekend in September with their annual Open House.
