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Do Yoga With Alpacas in the Finger Lakes

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2023-03-25 19:07:00

Alpacas, which are similar in looks to llamas, have become a popular animal to farm, thanks to their high-quality fleece and gentle, curious disposition. In Upstate New York, if you want to see them up close and personal, take a ride out to the Finger Lakes town of Bloomfield, just about half an hour outside of Rochester, to Lazy Acre Alpacas. Situated on 150 acres of beautiful historic property, the Lazy Acre farm is home to dozens of these beautiful creatures, which the Gilbride family breeds, sells, and shows at competitions in addition to creating multiple fiber products from their fleece. They also offer tours, classes, and special events—including alpaca yoga!


The alpacas at Lazy Acre are happy, good natured animals, and it’s easy to see why. Lazy Acre is a labor of love for the Gilbrides; owners Mark and Sharon Gilbride bought their first alpacas back in 2000, and the last few decades have brought great success and a growing passion for alpaca farming to the family. In addition to their yoga classes, the family offers tours of the farm, by appointment; they last forty minutes to an hour, and start outside, with a chance to visit with the alpacas that make the farm famous. Typically, there can be between 50 and 70 alpacas enjoying their time outside in the pasture during a visit. Since alpacas are not aggressive but inquisitive animals, and their curiosity makes the visit even more fun, as they are known to approach the group and often seem especially keen to befriend the smallest member, a fun experience for kids.


Visitors have the opportunity to take photos of and with the alpacas, a favorite part of the tour for many. Then it’s time to head back to the barn complex, a group of five buildings designed to tend to any and every need the Lazy Acre herd may have. The complex includes a treatment room for sick animals, a breeding area, food storage area, and even a heated ‘maternity ward’ where the females give birth to a new generation of the farm’s world-class alpacas each year. There is even a display of the ribbons and awards the Lazy Acre alpacas have won at various shows.


After a visit to the barn complex, the tour wraps up at the gift shop, where visitors can handle raw alpaca fleece, watch a video about how the animals are sheared, and do some shopping. The gift shop’s alpaca-centric selection includes products like yarn made from alpaca fleece that can be used for knitting, spinning, weaving, or other textile projects, and things like socks and other items made from alpaca yarn. The Lazy Acre website also features an online store where the alpaca fiber products sold in the gift shop are available for purchase as well.


Lazy Acre is a working farm, so you’ll have to call or go online to schedule your visit ahead of time. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather and for a day outdoors on the farm. To learn more about Lazy Acre, and book your visit, check out their website.  

 
PHOTO CREDITS

Alpaca yoga photo credit Lazy Acre Alpacas
Alpacas in a group photo credit Lazy Acre Alpacas
Alpacas meeting visitors photo credit Lazy Acre Alpacas
Gift shop photo credit Lazy Acre Alpacas
Rainbow over pasture photo credit Lazy Acre Alpacas
 

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