3 minute read
Adorable alpacas
Suzi Mancuso with her 13 alpacas at the Ponderosa Paca Farm in Middleboro
By Brian J. Lowney
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When Suzi Mancuso first visited the famed Fryeburg Fair in Maine as a high school student in that beautiful New England town many years ago, she immediately fell in love with a delightful alpaca named Snowmass Invincible and quickly became enamored by these South American camelids.
“To say that I was smitten was a giant understatement,” the Middleboro resident begins.
Mancuso says that while her life unfolded through the years and life moved on, she never lost her interest in alpacas.
“Those thoughts were always hiding in the back of my mind,” she laughs, adding that the avid animal lover attended fiber festivals, alpaca shows, gathered information, and enjoyed meeting fellow Alpaca lovers throughout the region.
“A few years ago, National Grid made some changes to our property and opened up our backyard, and everything just fell into place,” Mancuso continues. “I had continued learning about alpacas and the more I learned, the more I loved them. I was ready to start Ponderosa Paca Farm and the rest is history.”
Mancuso and her late husband Steven started the herd with four Huacaya males, whose fiber is softer than cashmere and stronger than wool.
“I call them ‘The First Four,’” the proud alpaca owner tells visitors, adding that she provides all of the care for the camelid residents. latest adoption of two alpacas that were adopted from the MSPCA, whose officers confiscated the animals from a previous owner. Today, Ponderosa Paca Farm has 13 alpacas – all males – that farm guests are
A year later, the Mancusos met an alpaca breeder from New Hampshire at an event in Springfield who sold the couple two Suri males, Lil’ Timmy and Gus, who they knew would be a perfect addition to their growing herd.
“Suri alpacas are known for their soft and silky fleece,” Mancuso continues. “I am very lucky to own both alpaca varieties.”
Eventually the herd grew, including the latest adoption of two alpacas that were adopted from the MSPCA, whose officers confiscated the animals from a previous owner.
Today, Ponderosa Paca Farm has 13 alpacas – all males – that farm guests are allowed to meet. In addition, they may shop in the small store where Mancuso sells many fun and unique alpaca products.
“I call my program ‘Meet the Boys,’” Mancuso tells, adding that children of all ages can feel the fiber, hand feed some of the animals, and learn more about these animals whose ancestors were developed in the Andes in South America.
The gift shop features different souvenirs made from alpaca fiber
According to the busy hobbyist, every alpaca has its own unique personality. These animals enjoy a lifespan of 20 years or longer, and “eat a lot of hay” and grains.
“They go through two or three bales of hay a day,” she tells. “They also drink a lot of water.”
Mancuso says that the alpacas are kept in a fenced-in enclosure. An electric fence also helps protect the alpacas from predators.
“I can control the herd by simply holding my arms out,” she adds. “They love the snow but they don’t like the pouring rain. Many will stay inside under cover.
“For me, it’s important to share my love for alpacas and teach families about these animals,” she emphasizes, adding that the alpaca fiber is brought to a mill in Fall River where it is processed. Mancuso shares some of the material with other fiber artists and also uses the yarn to crochet various colorful products that she sells at the farm.
Mancuso, who is a member of several professional alpaca associations, including the New England Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, welcomes guests of ages to visit the farm by appointment and to stop by the gift shop to hold onto those memories. During warmer weather, guests can bring a blanket and picnic lunch.
For more information, call Ponderosa Paca Farm at (508) 989-7961 or visit ponderosapacafarm.com
