Uncategorized
Ski patrollers as alpaca ranchers
Published
13 years agoon
Story and photos by Evi Dixon
For years, I was the master mower of
our 10 acres. Every time I rode our
lawnmower, salsa music blaring over
my headphones, I wondered what
animal could be more efficient. Sheep
pull the grass out by the roots. Horses
are too big. Cows destroy fences.
I was always fascinated by alpacas,
but knew that without help from
my husband Bob, I’d never be able to
build fences, pound post holes into the
ground or build a barn. Bob and I are ski
patrollers at Big Sky, and we weren’t
sure we had time to care for livestock.
After a couple of years of studying web
pages and other farms, I convinced him
alpacas would be the right co-workers
on our pastures.
In September 2010, the first five Suri
Alpacas moved in. Several more joined
them this May, and will produce two
crias (young) in September. Because
their gestation period is almost a year,
our herd is growing slowly.
The reason behind this operation was
not only yard work. As we grow older,
retirement in the years to come will
become a necessity. Another incentive
is the tax break gained by turning a
several acre private property into ranch
land. The income will come from a well
thought-out breeding program, fleece
production, compost selling and training,
handling, and shearing ours and
other people’s alpacas.
Alpacas originated in Peru, Bolivia and
Chile. They are a product of domestication
of two wild varieties of camelids
indigenous to South America. They
were domesticated before
the horse, dog or cat and
were owned by the Incan
royalty for their fine fleece.
Compared to Huacaya Alpacas,
Suri Alpacas like ours
only make up 10 percent of
the alpaca population in the
U.S. They have dreadlock-like
fleece with gorgeous
luster and shine that hangs
like a curtain.
Now I’m studying how
to handle the alpacas in a
nontraditional fashion. I
just returned from a clinic
in Oregon with Marty
McGee Bennett, founder
of “Camelidynamics –
handling Alpacas and Llamas with
respect.” Alpacas cannot be considered
pets and instead must be treated as light
livestock. They have to be weighed
once a month, might need injections or
de-worming medication. Taking alpacas
to shows is a good way to keep them
calm and safe.
It’s been fun and interesting to see the
different characters in these animals,
and to see even a scared and shy alpaca
turn into a more trusting and calm
individual.
Bob and Evi Dixon will be at the Big Sky
Country Fair on July 30, 2011 with two
of their animals. Come, see and visit!
Their farm is located near Manhattan on
Baker Creek. To contact them, visit their
website: sp-surialpacas.com or call Evi
at (406) 579-9694.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd