Sugar Hollow Farm Alpacas LLC, Pennsylvania

You've heard us say it over and over - "Just give us a call, if we're home, we're open!" We realize however that in the busy Holiday season it's not always convenient to call first before coming to the farm.  To remedy that we've decided to open our farm and store for regular hours on Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14 from 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday, Dec. 8 & 15 from 1:00 to 4:00. Just swing by during those hours - no call necessary! We'll be here!

Our 2nd annual Holiday Open Farm has moved to Saturday, November 30, 2019.  Despite the stormy weather last year's Holiday open Farm was quite a success, so we've decided to make it an annual tradition and also move the date to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Full of Turkey? Tired of being cooped up in the house with Thanksgiving guests? Need to get outside, get some fresh air and wear out the kids?Come visit Sugar Hollow Farm! Bring the whole family to visit the alpacas, llamas, pigs, chickens and Molly (the world's friendliest farm dog!),  have some Holiday treats and hot apple cider, tour the farm, and put the finishing touches on your Holiday shopping with the perfect alpaca gift from our farm store. The farm will be open from 11 AM to 4 PM.  Can't make it that day?  Give us a call - if we're home we're open!

​Meet Matoskah's Born to Run.  He took his sweet time getting here, but it was worth the wait. White, bright, fine and beautiful he's living up to his name and scooting around the pasture. Mom Nusta is very attentive and providing plenty of nourishment - He gained a whole pound in less than 48 hours! That's a more than 5% increase in body weight. He'll be ready to have visitors after June 24 so call and plan a visit to the farm after that date.

The show season and shearing are behind us and now it's time to look forward to what's next on the farm.  We are expecting two alpaca babies (cria) in late May and early June.  Watch this space for their arrival!  There is nothing cuter than a cria (although puppies and kittens come close) so plan your visit to the farm accordingly.  All you need to do is call to set up a time (late morning through late afternoon is usually best for us) and frequently we can accommodate same day requests!

We will also be bringing alpacas to the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival. This event takes place on Saturday, June 1 from 1:00 to 4:00. For more information check out the library's website here.

Congratulations to Amy and Stacy Graff of Thistle Dew Ranch in Hegins PA on their purchase of APF Macaria, Sugar Hollow's Esperanza, and BGF Lady Gaga. Three alpacas that are great breeders and great moms. We're sure they will add lots of color to your herd!

We had some success at this year's PAOBA Breeders Showcase at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA. Two of our three yearling males ribboned with the most impressive being Billy the Kid - our True Black by BGF Poseidon Isaac's Matoskah. He took second place in a class of nine which as always, included stiff competition from some large and well established breeders. In fact, the one alpaca placed ahead of Billy also took the Reserve Championship in the black color class which indicates just how strong the competition was!  And although Matoskah's Mister Sandman only placed 6th in his class, the judge commented on his beautiful fleece and indicated that once he fills out he may be a force to be reckoned with!

April 26-28 The MAPACA Jubilee will take place at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. This annual show has been one of the largest gatherings of alpacas in the country. We will again be showing some of our youngest alpacas hoping to bring home a few ribbons! This event is free and open to public. If you would like to learn more about alpacas plan on attending. Several free seminars are offered and there are many experienced alpaca owners and breeders who will be happy to talk with you and answer your questions.

​Shearing Day this year is Monday, April 29. Due to the chaos of many people working in a small space in close proximity to stressed alpacas we do not allow farm visits during shearing. We do encourage you to visit on the days following to see exactly how little body there is under all that alpaca fleece!  
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To all of you who braved the rain, wind, and generally dismal conditions to attend our First Annual Holiday Open Farm - THANK YOU!! We have to admit that as we were setting up that morning we looked at each other and wondered "is anybody even going to come today?" We were amazed at the turn out in far less than ideal conditions. Because the response was so positive we are already planning our Second Annual Holiday Open Farm for Saturday, December 14, 2019. Mark your calendars now and hopefully the weather will be more hospitable. Why not make a visit with our alpacas a holiday tradition?  Who knows, maybe we'll even be able to get Santa to attend!