The Alpaca Industry Needs You! Farmers & Youth Learning How to Shear and Process Alpaca Fiber

Commodities

Practices

This project gives youth hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture by teaching them to shear alpacas and move fiber into production efficiently. Participants will work alongside a farmer to safely complete a full herd's shearing season, building skills in animal care, fiber handling, and teamwork. This innovative approach introduces youth to a specialized agricultural skill while connecting responsible animal care to sustainable farming practices. Participants will also create educational materials and a farmer tip sheet on safely including youth in shearing activities, helping expand opportunities for the next generation, and fostering a lasting love of agriculture.

This project will help youth understand regenerative agriculture by connecting animal welfare, farm profitability, and community partnerships. Alpacas must be shorn annually to prevent overheating and death, making proper shearing both an ecological and ethical responsibility. Alpacas are difficult to shear, and the industry has long relied on third-party crews traveling from the southern hemisphere. With much of that labor currently unavailable, farms must learn to perform the process safely to protect animal welfare and financial stability. Youth will gain hands-on skills in shearing and fiber management while exploring careers in livestock production, fiber processing, and regenerative agricultural entrepreneurship.