Create a truly unique holiday experience at Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm

Community, Featured Stories
Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga: Born in part out of a desire to return to small-town living, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm became a sustainably driven business for the husband and wife owners. The farm is open year-round and offers free tours to the public. They are currently in the midst of the Ninth Thanksgiving on the farm and are taking reservations for the Eleventh Annual Alpaca Holiday tours.

Owner and artist Holly leads small groups around the farm three times a day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hour-long tour teaches visitors about the alpaca, including origins, husbandry, and fur uses.

The newest baby on the lasso the moon alpaca farm. He is one month old.

The newest baby on the alpaca farm. He is one month old.

The animals must be shorn once a year because their fur grows perpetually, and if the fur coat isn’t collected, they could die from heatstroke. Lasso the Moon shears its alpacas every May. An alpaca’s first shearing produces the finest hair that it will ever produce.

“They are visibly happy afterward,” Holly stated about the alpacas after shearing day.

Farmers can make use of low-quality furs, such as turning it into mulch. Those walking around the farm will see fur blanketing the base of fruit trees.

Alpaca fur being used as mulch.

Alpaca fur being used as mulch.

The very-much hands-on, interactive environment makes the farm great for children and a good learning opportunity for them. All visitors can feed and pet the alpacas, just don’t pat the animals on their head or face and don’t stand behind the animal then touch their rear-ends. First, alpacas interpret pats to their heads as aggressive. Second, no one should ever stand directly behind any livestock then pet their backside if they don’t want to be kicked potentially.

The alpacas are very curious and inspect everyone who enters their paddock, probably because they hope their guests are hiding food. They’ll quickly nibble pellets out of a person’s hand.

However, alpacas aren’t the only animals located on Lasso the Moon. Anyone who visits will see chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs running freely around the farm. Some of the domesticated animals will gladly climb in vehicles to hang out with guests. The dogs are there to protect the alpacas, which are natural prey animals.

Tours aren’t the only option for those interested in spending some time at the farm. Holly holds several fiber art classes. Attendees can choose to make a silk patchwork Nuno felted alpaca scarf, silk dyed scarf, Nuno felted poncho with matching wristlets, necklace and earrings, or a needle felted animal/item. Those interested can sign-up online. The classes include a farm to table lunch, and all materials are provided.

People can sign up to make felt animals such as this chipmunk.

People can sign up to make felt animals such as this chipmunk.

A little backstory

18 years ago, Holly’s husband built the barn that now serves as her base of operation as it were. The bottom contains stalls and their “homemade stantion, scale, feed bins, sink and cabinet space for paperwork and storage of sterile items.”

Upstairs is Holly’s studio for glass bead making, fiber art education, bird nest ball making, and gallery. It also features all the awards earned from showing their alpacas.

 Holly explained she always wanted to return to a small town farm life after growing up on one. When they bought the farm, her husband told her she could raise whatever she wanted, but it had to be a business.

At first, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to raise until reading an article about alpacas, and Holly instantly knew that she wanted to start an alpaca farm.

Holly explaining the uses of alpaca fur.

Holly explaining the uses of alpaca fur.

“So, we started going to farms and shows, and we literally just fell in love with them and decided this is what we wanted to do,” Holly said. “As an artist with an art degree, it really appealed to me that you could do so much with them and not kill them to do it.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Lasso the Moon or sign up for a class, visit their website. The Alpaca holiday tours run from December 26 to 29 at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. Please make an appointment or call before visiting the farm.

Update: Resources available for Union residences in need

Announcements, Business, Community
resources

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga –The community is responding to provide resources and aid to anyone in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fetch Your News will update this article with all available resources for people in industries financially affected by the virus.

Food Pantries

  • First Baptist Church of Blairsville, 706-745-2469, Day / Time: Saturday 9 – 11 a.m., Notes: 1x per month for Union County residents.
  • House of Prayer / Cottage Food Bank Blairsville, 706-745-5925, Monday & Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Meal service: Wednesday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Produce stand: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Notes: fresh produce depending upon availability
  • Ninth District Opportunity/ Union County Food Pantry, (706) 745-6596, Monday – Thursday 1 – 4 p.m., Notes: needs social security number, date of birth, household income, proof of residency
  • Antioch Baptist Church, (706) 745-4350, 3rd Thursday of the month 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Liberty Baptist Church, (706) 745-8262, 1st Tuesday of the month 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Mountain Presbyterian, (706) 745-8036, Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Union County Schools are busing meals to children from 0 to 18 every two days. Families can pick-up meals at the 12 voting precincts. For those interested, here’s the link to the program.

Union County Family Connection is taking donations for those who want to help feed families while school is out. However, the office is closed because it’s located in a school building. Family Connection asks people to call if they have a question or need at 706-835-4351 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. They will update their schedule when they are available.

List of needed items from Family Connection.

Clothing

  • Elijah’s Closet, (706) 745-5925, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Liberty Baptist Church, (706) 745-8262, Tuesday – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wi-fi Hot Spots

  • Meeks Park
  • Union County Public Library – parking lot, password: UCPL Public
  • Harmony Grove Baptist Church – parking lot

Service Industry Assistance

  • The Giving Kitchen
  • Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation
  • One Fair Wage
  • Unite Here Education and Support Fund
  • ROC Disaster Relief Fund
  • Spill the Dish
  • USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
  • Dining Bond Initiative
  • Southern Smoke Foundation
  • Give Local and Local for Later
  • World Central Kitchen

Small business owners can now apply for disaster relief loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you know of any additional resources for people in need, please email [email protected].

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