In honor of my trip to the waterfront vacation farm for Thanksgiving, I ask you to ponder my $64,000 question: "What to do with the family farm?"
•CSA (not enough acreage and too much maintenance to be profitable)
•Organic vineyard (we have yet to protect the grapes from birds or deer)
•Fig farm (see birds and deer)
•Persimmon farm (The fruit suffers from the deer/bird issue, but the wood maybe, however, there is not enough to create a profit center).
Animals - now that is where it's at. Did you know that the Eastern Shore in Maryland is home to more than a few Llama and Alpaca farms? Maryland is home to 12 Llama farms, 6 of which are located on the Eastern Shore. Add my knitting expertise and this opportunity just might have legs.
•Raise the Llamas and/or Alpacas (I'm good with animals)
•Harvest their wool(This would require some research and help)
•Create the yarns(I already have the family heirloom spinning wheel)
•Sell the yarns(I am definitely a Merchant) AND
•Products made from them(No problem, I have been knitting since I was 3)
•Don't forget the workshops(I've been teaching for over 20 years).
Thanks to Daily Candy and model Lily Cole's, The North Circular project, I even have the business plan with all the right built-in buzz - eco-friendly, animal-friendly and charitable. Saving sheep, employing (mostly) knitting grannies and supporting charities through the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). A little modification could make for an interesting retirement plan.
--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew
11 comments:
This would be a very good idea for a retirement plan. Starting a sheep, llama, or alpaca farm probably wouldn't have a huge start up cost, and even if it did, animals are something that could be accumulated over time. You wouldn't need to start with a large amount of animals to start the business; you could start with a couple animals and then buy more as time goes on. Since you already know how to knit, and could employ other people that also know how to and enjoy to knit, this type of retirement plan is one that could not only be profitable, but could be enjoyed as well.
Have you ever heard of Arasapha Farms, in Glen Mills, Pa? Family friends own it and this sounds a bit like what they do. They have a huge property and they raise sheep and possibly more animals- the grandmother does all the knitting. For additional profit- and a large profit it is- they have haunted hay rides, hotels, and corn mazes for halloween, and sell christmas trees and have sleigh rides during christmas.
How accessible is the farm? If it's easy to get to, why not continue with your teaching, but in another form. Turn it into a "craft camp" where students can come and learn about harvesting wool, and the steps to creating a finished product (from harvesting to knitting) - could be a lot of fun, and help pay back the start up costs.
I love the business model of the North Circular- what an excellent example to replicate. And considering they're across the pond, you'll have to worry less about competing with them. It sounds like a great retirement plan to me- something to keep yourself busy, yet something that you'll likely enjoy doing. From what I've heard, alpacas can be a pretty pricey investment, but the return is usually high, especially if you are able to breed and sell them.
In Spain, my boyfriend's mother makes her own yarn and it is a very interesting process to take part in. As someone mentioned above, a craft camp could be a great idea. Also, you could host different events such as "knitting competitions" or contests for most innovative project. You could also have charity functions where people (especially children) could knit scarves and gloves to send to people in poverty, and ask the parents for donations as well. This seems like it holds endless possibilities and could be a great experience for you and all the people involved. Also, I love the idea of employing elderly "knitters", it reminds me of Escama Studios where they crochet and use soda tabs to make stylish handbags from a traditional Brazilian technique. The following quote describes their creation process: "The artists work in co-operatives located outside of BrasÃlia, Brazil. The groups offer women and men in the community a means to earn a living wage through handicrafts and provide a setting where friends are made and self-esteem is regained." Again, you really have a great idea here!
This is such creative idea and the land is beautiful as well resourceful. I think this would be a good idea for retirement. Starting this would probably not be too expensive, I mean I do not know much about buying llamas or alpaca, but I think if you started with a few animals you would be able to make enough money to purchase more. Another good idea would be to maybe even start workshops for younger children. Show them how you shave the animals and then make the yarn, you could then teach them how to knit. It would be a good hobby for youths to pick up.
This is such a great idea for you to expand upon your knitwear pieces. What better way to make theses pieces truly yours by raising your own sheep or llamas, to produce your own knit materials. Like other people who have commented on this post, I do not know how much it costs to buy these animals, but if it is totally doable it would make for a really exciting new business adventure.
I would definitely go with the alpacas. Wool can get you a lot of money. I know my mother spends a bunch on different wools and yarns every year. And people always seem to love homemade/home-knitted things. I think it's the best decision you can make for the farm.
When I was in Peru I saw many Alpaca. Alpaca is their main source of income besides coco leafs. It is usesd for rugs, clothing, and decoration. The alpaca were even used as a tourist attraction, and they would charge for taking pictures with them. It was interesting to see how much you can do with an animal without harming them.
Love the idea! I would so be a merchant of the yarn that came from the farm, I'm kinda a knitting addict. I love the idea of saving sheep and being a local llama/alpaca farmer. And I love Jesse's idea of craft camp, so many people would go!
This seems like an excellent idea! The idea of having wool as a side project has the potential to either make you a lot of money or has the potential to get you to be able to produce a ton of knitwear and generate even more income.
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