Round Hill Farm - Alpacas, Mount Vernon Ohio

About Us...

Brief History of Alpacas
Drawings on the walls of caves found high in the Andean Mountains are the first known record of alpacas. Domesticated 6000 years ago, they were possibly the first domestic animal. Alpaca fiber was uniquely suited to clothe the Andean Indians in their harsh environment.

The Andean Indians were conquered by the Incas who captured their precious alpacas. Alpacas became the basis of wealth for the Incan society. The alpaca regained its prominence in the mid 1800's when Sir Titus Salt of London discovered the fabulous qualities of alpaca fiber.

Alpacas in North America
North America currently has fewer than 25,000 alpacas. They were first imported into the United States in 1984. Comparing these numbers to hundred of millions of sheep, cattle, and horses in North America, the alpaca is a rare and precious resource.

Two Alpaca Breeds
HUACAYA - Approximately 98% of the alpaca world population is huacaya. The fleece has a crimp or wavy quality enhancing its spinning quality.

SURI - The suri fleece has a lustrous fine fiber with no crimp. Renowned for their incredible handle and luster, the suri glistens in sunlight as if their coat were wet.

Alpaca Registry
In 1989, the alpaca industry had the foresight to create one of the most sophisticated animal registries in existence. The registry protects the existing gene pool and helps ensure that each breeder's investment is also protected from cross breeding with llamas and guanacos.

Each baby is blood typed to prove its sire and dam. The University of California at Davis Serology lab maintains the alpaca blood type data bank. The value of this registry is tremendous.

Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America, Inc.
In January of 1998 with the help of AOBA and USDA Rural Cooperative Development section, the fiber cooperative was formed. This gives us the "finishing touch" in that we can have our fiber processed for yarn or finished end products either for our personal use or for resale. For Further information the Co-op's web site is http://www.alpacafibercoop.com.

"Ancient Quechua Legend
Ausangate is a magnificent snow-covered peak south of Cuzco, Peru, and the legendary source of llamas and alpacas. According to legend, Pachamama (Mother Earth) loaned alpacas and llamas so people of the puna could survive. Since the animals belong to Pachamama, they must be well fed and never treated cruelly. If they aren't properly cared for, Pachamama will call them back to Ausangate and people will disappear."

About Us
Since the early 1850's Round Hill has been an established farm in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Six generations of the Curtis family have called Round Hill home. During the 1950's the farm's best hay field gave way to a school and playground. This also took a very large three-story brick horse barn. Fortunately, the banked dairy barn was left and now serves our alpacas very well, as it generally remains cool during the summer heat.

Surrounded by 57 acres, we have ample pastures with large trees for our alpacas to roam and relax. We also make our own hay and have a small beef cow/calf operation. John has owned and operated his own trucking company for 25 years mainly involved with agriculture.

We first saw alpacas in Michigan at "fiberfest". After purchasing two llamas, we joined an Ohio Llama Association. After attending a meeting the group held at a farm which was breeding llamas and alpacas, we decided to get started raising alpacas.

In 1996, we started our "herd" with a bred female huacaya, her female cria and two pet quality males. We really enjoy the aplacas and find them very easy to care for livestock. Of course, the crias are the most fun and their fiber so incredibly soft, you will just have to visit and touch for yourself.

(740) 397-2498
Email: jpcurtis@ecr.net