Tons of Fun at Fleecy Friends Alpacas
Our family made the journey 30 minutes south of Tulsa to Boynton, Oklahoma to visit Fleecy Friends Alpacas. I recently learned about Fleecy Friends through Instagram and, being an animal loving group, decided we had to visit as soon as possible.
An Alpaca Paradise
Derek and Julie Smith started with 3 alpacas in 2021 to see if they wanted to make a bigger commitment to the animal. They fell in love with the adorable creatures, which are closely related to llamas and part of the camelid family. In 2022, they incorporated the farm. Today, there are 35 animals on the Fleecy Friends farm! Add to that another 10 babies coming in the spring. The babies, called cria, are a level of cuteness I cannot quite explain.
Alpacas are fascinating not only because of their adorableness, their gentle nature, but also because not many people own them. Alpacas are native to South America, specifically the Andes Mountains, where they live at an elevation of 11,000 to 13,500 feet. The animals are critical to the people of the region as ranching is their main source of income.
They have been domesticated for thousands of years in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Brazil and are primarily raised for their luxurious fiber. Alpaca fleece is used to make textiles, clothing, toys, and more. Though they are plentiful in South America at around 4 million, there are only around 300,000 in the United States.
An Opportunity to Educate
We saw the many prizes Derek and Julie’s alpacas had won at competition alongside products made of alpaca fleece. Once you slip your hand into a mitten made of alpaca fleece, you won’t forget it because they feel magnificent. Both kids loved touching and feeling the products. We learned about the process to make such products – the care, art, and science of it.
Awards And Items Made From Alpaca Fleece
At Fleecy Friends, alpacas are carefully bred by bloodline, which means that Derek might be on the road driving across the United States quite often. They select different lines if they are seeking denser fleece, finer fleece, or longer staple-length fleece. As Derek described it to us, the goal is to always build the fleece up so there is better quality. On a recent trip to Oregon to bring in a mama alpaca and her cria, Derek logged 5,200 miles in 5 days. The commitment to quality is no joke! As if Derek isn’t already busy, he paints with oil and makes lightweight fence panels and custom barns.
Learning about and feeling the products was wonderful when complemented by spending time with the alpacas themselves. They were sweet, and being around them was incredibly calming. It is no wonder these animals are successfully used by occupational therapists. Touching and handling the alpacas was something we could have done for hours.
Kieren And Isabelle Getting Some Alpaca Love
There is a particular commitment by Fleecy Friends to take care of any animal and see it live its best life regardless of ability. Our family met the locally famous alpaca, Cowboy, who made big waves on the TV when News on 6’s Kaitlyn Deggs reported on his new prosthetic leg. There are other friends on the farm as well, including goats, black nose sheep, miniature horses, a miniature donkey, and a precious pig.
Fun fact: Alpaca fleece is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic.
Big Plans Ahead
Derek and Julie aren’t stopping now – they have big plans for this year and the years to come. Fleecy Friends Farm will have a farm store, grain silo, and an event center later in the summer. They plan to eventually have two silos that offer a unique and fun bed and breakfast experience. All of this will make Fleecy Friends a fantastic place for weddings.
The couple has taken animals to schools, birthday parties, and holiday events and is looking to expand their reach with more events this year in and around the Tulsa area and elsewhere. They are passionate about education and raising the next generation to be familiar with farms and farm animals. Fleecy Friends is open for individual and group tours by appointment now, for birthday parties, and will be ready to host alpaca picnics starting in the spring, kids camps in summer, summer yoga, painting with the alpacas! To reach out for an appointment or event contact: fleecyfriendsalpcas@gmail.com.
Follow Fleecy Friends on Instagram or on Facebook to watch their farm grow!
