Alpacas at Lone Ranch
How did your ranch get started and what inspires you? Started in 2002 as second retirement business; wanted fiber producing, gentle animals, thus alpacas.
How do your farming practices affect quality? We breed for fine, dense fiber and turn it into yarn.
What is the most difficult part of running your ranch? Probably the mowing as alpacas don't eat very much and don't eat weeds.
What are your most popular products? Alpaca socks, yarn, scarves, texting gloves and hats hand knitted by Renate.
What do you love about ranching in the Rogue Valley? Generally the mild climate.
What's next for you as a rancher? We will continue until we can no longer handle the chore.
What upcoming events are you looking forward to? Second Sunday in June we host Alpacas and Accordions, accordion music and tours of the alpacas ending in the gift shop. We offer daily tours by appointment.
Tell us something most people don't know about your ranch. We were corporate people who bailed early, Renate was development director for Public Television and the Crocker Art Museum. I, Richard was a sales manager for a national company. We saved our money and in our early 50's were able to quit the rat race.