About Us
ISLAND ALPACA OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Breeding for Excellence
Sharing Our Love for Alpaca
At Island Alpaca, our mission is simple: to share the joy, beauty, and brilliance of alpacas with everyone who steps onto our farm.
For over 25 years, we’ve opened our gates to visitors of all ages, inviting them to get up close and personal with our alpacas and discover what makes them so extraordinary. Their gentle presence, curious personalities, and incredibly soft and sustainable fiber have a way of capturing hearts, so you leave not only smiling, but maybe even dreaming about your own backyard herd.
Whether you're walking an alpaca through our pastures, shopping for alpaca products in our gift shop, or simply pausing for a few furry photo ops, we’re here to make your visit unforgettable.
Our Story
We began in 2004 with the purchase of just under 19 acres of land and the purchase of an antique post-and-beam barn.
The "Ferguson Family Barn"
Our antique post-and-beam barn that once stood in Export PA, about 1/2 hour south east of Pittsburgh was re-built over the course of two years. It was once a formerly a threshing barn for grain in its day, originally built over 210 years ago.
The barn arrived on the Vineyard Haven Ferry, and was carefully re-assembled over the next two years. Pastures were prepared, and fencing installed.
See the photo gallery of our barn being built
Alpacas Arrive!
We started with an original purchase of 8 females (7 of which were pregnant), and two years later, once the barn and pastures were ready, instead of 8 we had 21 alpaca to bring home! Today, we typically have between 35 and 40 alpaca and breed 3 to 5 alpaca every summer.
As the farm has grown, so has our appreciation for everything alpacas bring to the world. Their unique qualities continue to inspire us daily, and we love sharing what makes them so special.
From Fleece
to Finished Goods
Why Alpacas?
Alpacas are gentle, intelligent, and full of personality. But what really sets them apart is their fiber: soft, hypoallergenic, incredibly warm, and in 22 different colors, recognized by the Alpaca Registry.
Each spring, we shear our alpacas and send their fleece to local mills, where the finest fibers are spun into luxuriously soft yarns and handcrafted garments. These one-of-a-kind items, along with a wide selection of alpaca goods, are available in our on-site and online gift shop.
Here’s just a glimpse of what you’ll find in our store:
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Fashion: Luxurious alpaca sweaters, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, socks, slippers, shawls, scarves, blankets and so much more!
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Fiber: Yarns from our own alpaca, baby alpaca, natural and hand-dyed yarns. Fleece and roving supplies.
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Gifts: Alpaca fur toys, jewelry, postcards, soaps, t-shirts, mugs, books, puzzles, ornaments, alpaca cookie cutters and many other treasures!
And nothing goes to waste. After our springtime shearing, birds will often swoop in to gather the loose, unswept fibers to line their nests, making them soft, cozy, and warm.
Even our “alpaca beans” (yep, their manure!) are put to good use. They are bagged and sold as nutrient rich, garden friendly fertilizer.
Want to learn more?
Visit our About Alpacas page for fun facts and fascinating details about these amazing animals.
Thinking About Owning Alpacas?
We don’t just raise alpacas - we help others get started too.
If you’re considering alpaca ownership, we invite you to learn more about our breeding program, available sale stock, and how we support new owners with boarding and consultation services.
Explore Alpacas for Sale to see if the alpaca lifestyle might be right for you.
Come Visit
A visit to Island Alpaca is a chance to stroll the pastures, meet our alpacas up close, explore our gift shop, and learn more about these animals. We also offer various unique programs and events to help you connect with the herd:
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🦙 Walk & Talk – Walk your very own alpaca through our pasture
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🧘 Alpaca Yoga – Breathe, stretch, and laugh with alpacas by your side
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💌 Alpaca-Grams – Surprise someone special with an alpaca-delivered message
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🎂 Birthday Parties & Weddings – Host unforgettable moments on the farm - we can also bring our alpaca to special events off the farm
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🍼 Birthing Clinics – Learn about neonatal alpaca care and what goes into raising a cria
Meet Our Team
Island Alpaca wouldn’t be what it is without the passionate people who care for the herd
Barbara Ronchetti
Business Owner
I love alpaca because they bring so much joy and curiosity to our visitors of all ages.
Alexis Da Silva
Farm Manager
I love alpacas for their gentle personalities and the joy of caring for them. Working with them has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
Taylor Hughes
Barn Manager
Alpacas bring calm, comfort, and a whole lot of happy - and making time with them is naturally therapeutic and fun.
Sybille Crafts
Store Manager
I love alpacas because of the deep, soulful gaze in their eyes, their grounding presence, and their gentle, sweet spirit.
Leif Moore
Barn Staff
I've just always loved alpacas. I've been visiting the farm since I was little, and now, working here since 2023.
David Hannon
Volunteer Extraordinate
I love being around alpacas because I'm always learning something new about them.
We are grateful to our summer staff and volunteers of past and present.
A special thanks to our many talented knitters, in particular Martha, Judy, Karen, Pam, Evelyn, and Donna. There is much talent in the group!
Stay Connected
Don’t miss a single baby alpaca moment. Follow along and join our growing community of alpaca fans:
