At Lasso the Moon, there are no signs of traditional livestock like cows, pigs, or horses. Instead, upon their arrival, visitors are greeted by dozens of alpacas! The Georgia Farm Monitor brings us their story from Union County, Georgia.
At the farm, guests can not only pet and feed these graceful creatures, but Lasso the Moon also invites them to embark on hands-on educational tours, which they host throughout the year.
Lasso the Moons’ owner, Holly Williams, makes education a key part of her operation, inspiring visitors to dive deeper into the world of alpacas by teaching them things like the differences between alpacas and llamas, the species’ origins, and their purpose in the world ecosystem as well as their use in both natural- and sustainable ag-land management.
Williams, who grew up on a farm in Ohio, found her way back to farming after meeting her Georgia-born husband. Armed with an art degree and a desire for a rural lifestyle, Holly considered various animals for her farm, including sheep.
A chance encounter with alpacas changed everything. Now, for the past 20 years, her passion for alpacas has not wavered — as these animals not only make great companions but are also relatively easy to raise.
While alpacas are fun, sweet, and easy to keep, they do come with their unique challenges. Sheering them regularly is a necessary task, and is highlighted as a less enjoyable aspect for both alpacas and humans. Despite this challenge, the effort is worthwhile, as alpaca fiber is uniquely hypoallergenic, lacking lanolin and providing a softer feel compared to sheep’s wool.
Lasso the Moon is not just about alpacas. The farm is also home to various other animals, including farm dogs, cats, ducks, and chickens. Additionally, Lasso the Moon offers fiber art classes on the farm, teaching visitors skills such as needle felting, wet felting, and dying.
