July celebrates Kentucky’s alpaca industry

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Alpaca Fleece and Fiber Month is recognizing Kentucky alpaca farmers and the alpaca industry.

This July, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Alpaca Association are celebrating what the industry brings to Kentucky.

“Alpacas provide a unique addition to Kentucky’s livestock communities,” commissioner of agriculture Jonathon Shell said. “This unique addition provides economic benefits to farms, including providing beautiful, soft, cashmere-like fleece for various products. This month, I encourage you to visit an alpaca farm to learn about their care and the wide array of products that can be made from their fleece.”

According to a release by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, alpaca producers contribute fiber and fiber products, agritourism and breeding for livestock sales and seedstock.

Across Kentucky, the release says there are over 200 farms raising alpacas.

The Kentucky Alpaca Association has members in 30 counties across the Commonwealth, but alpacas can be found in nearly all of Kentucky’s 120 counties, the release states.

Last year, News 40 spoke to a local who has been raising alpacas for years right here in Bowling Green. You can watch the full story here.