Alpacatrax

For the past 20 years, Alpacatrax has specialized in in the production of top quality alpaca fiber for local artisans who appreciate working with fine raw fleece, roved fiber and spun wool. They also hand-create one-of-a-kind, high quality, finished products from their alpaca fleece. Products range from eye-catching throws and blankets to foot warmers and fingerless mitts to unique hats and exquisite shawls, cowls and scarves. Many of the items are made with alpaca yarns blended with silk, angora or high quality sheep's wool by an award-winning local micro-mill or by local artisans.

Long a working farm, the property was sold to the current owners in 1968, who uphold the land's history of light farming and grazing. Today the fields are home to alpacas and Cormo sheep, which were selected as one of the finest breeds to blend with their Hudson-Valley raised alpaca fleece. These replaced the original herd of predominantly Suffolk and Dorset sheep breeds, formerly owned and raised by "Farmer Joe," who managed the farm for 35 years. Farmer Joe's sheep herd, at one time numbering 185, provided organic lamb to longtime customers in the five boroughs of New York City and its surroundings. In the past, the now 350-ace farm has also been home to animals that could no longer live in petting zoos and hands-on venues either because of their age or disposition. In lieu of their once active alpaca breeding program, Alpacatrax now adopts animals needing forever homes.
Alpacatrax hosts a farm open house in mid-summer for fiber artists in the Hudson Valley. Otherwise, the farm is not open to the public.