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Alpaca ranch educates and expands

ALVORD



NEW ATTRACTION — Harmony Ranch’s Rocket Man poses for a picture outside his stall Thursday. Rocket Man is one of seven alpacas raised on the ranch with additions coming soon. AMY NEAL/WCMESSENGER

NEW ATTRACTION — Harmony Ranch’s Rocket Man poses for a picture outside his stall Thursday. Rocket Man is one of seven alpacas raised on the ranch with additions coming soon. AMY NEAL/WCMESSENGER

Many Wise County residents are familiar with cattle and horses, but one Alvord family is working to educate the community about livestock with a uniquely long neck and soft fleece.

Harmony Ranch Alpacas is a 10-acre farm just a few miles north of Decatur. Owners, Stephanie and Luis Cordova currently raise seven alpacas, which the public is invited to interact with through tours and various events.

Stephanie said her interest in alpacas was sparked after visiting her husband’s native home in Ecuador. Although Luis was skeptical about raising alpacas in Texas, Stephanie convinced him to research the idea.

“We visited other alpacas farms, and I asked people if there was anything they would do differently,” Stephanie said. “[One couple] said that they wished they had started it sooner so they could have shared it with their kids.”

With this in mind, the Cordovas decided to search for a suitable property to start their ranch. They wanted a place where they could care for alpacas alongside their 8-year-old daughter and 4-year old son. Stephanie also knew that she wanted to expand the ranch’s reach to other families.

GRAND CHAMPION — Penelope Cordovas stands proudly with her champion belt buckle. SUBMITTED

GRAND CHAMPION — Penelope Cordovas stands proudly with her champion belt buckle. SUBMITTED

“I feel like the agritourism side is a way to increase your revenue, and it is interesting to educate people on the benefits of alpacas because they are so gentle on the land,” Stephanie said. “They have pads similar to a dog’s paw. They do not tear up the pasture with their hooves and they only have teeth on the bottom so they kinda just trim the grass when they eat.

The ranch hosts events such as day camps for kids, picnics, and painting and cookie decorating classes. Each event allows visitors to interact with the alpacas while they enjoy an activity. The ranch also features a store that carries alpaca themed gifts and products.

Stephanie said that every alpaca has its own personality which makes the animals unique.

“They love selfies and seeing themselves in a mirror,” Stephanie said. “They are livestock but they are almost a little like pets at the same time.”

The love for alpacas has been passed down to Stephanie and Luis’s children. Their daughter, Penelope, competed in the TXOLAN youth alpaca show in February, where she won the grand champion belt buckle.

“She had the best time and it was so empowering for her,” Stephanie said.

Since winning, Penelope has continued to halter, train and work with the family’s alpacas. She is excited about the possibility of competing in the future.

“My daughter is out here multiple times a day and she works with the alpacas all the time,” Stephanie said.

Penelope is not the only member of the family that is looking forward to continuing to grow in their passion for the animals. Stephanie said that they are working on a barn that will provide a space for larger events and small weddings to be held. The alpaca population is set to significantly increase at the ranch in the coming months as well. Three of the females in the current herd are pregnant and are expected to deliver in January. The Cordovas are also getting 6 new alpacas from a ranch in Colorado. The new members of the herd are expected to arrive in September.

“We have three moms and three babies coming in and by next January we will have 16 alpacas total,” Stephanie said.

Sharing the animals with the community is a joy for the family and Stephanie said that they love to see how the ranch impacts others.

“I don’t see a lot of people leave without a smile,” she said.

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