Happy International Women's Day!
In celebration of #InternationalWomensDay and to all the women working in Ag in the rain, hail and shine. We say thank you!
Never in my life have I worked so hard and we are on a small farm!
These photos were taken for Hunter Local Land Services as part of the Every Bit Counts program.
The program has been developed to provide small landholders with workshops, field days and resources on topics including weed management, habitat protection, pest animal control and opportunities to develop skills in sustainable land management. All the things we live and breath 24/7 so come join us as Every Bit Counts.
Matt Horspool for Hunter Local Land Services Every Bit Counts. @etchd
Discover more about Little Valley Farm here.
Mansionair MORE
So where do you record a music video about the “frustration of always wanting MORE”? At the little valley farm which is all about having and wanting LESS!
We love being part of the new cult and the train being their new home.
Mansionair has great talent they were grounded and curious guys! We are big fans.
Be a LVF VIP member
Piaf says... sign up to our LVF mailing list for all VIP events and something special coming to LVF next season.
Be the first in the know, just like Piaf!
All VIPs events will now be on our website and mailing list. We will only email you when we have something to say... otherwise, we are working outside with the alpacas - and that is soo much more fun than spamming people!
Baby Piaf at Little Valley Farm, Hunter Valley.
Little Valley Farm is based in Laguna in the Hunter Valley. We are not open to the public as we like to keep it exclusive for our farm stay guests.
We do, however, open for Australian Alpaca week and for special events including our monthly alpaca workshops for new alpaca owners.
For intimate eco-weddings, corporate events and girls weekend getaway please feel free to contact us with your enquiry.
New items to our Little Valley Farm online shop
Hi there, we have now added new products to our shop cart this week.
You can now purchase online our raw alpaca fleece which is great for spinning or felting.
Alpaca fleece for craft projects is also available and of course, our alpaca yarn which is spun in the Wollombi Valley where we live.
Delivery is via Australia Post anywhere in Australia.
www.littlevalleyfarm.com.au/online-products
Thanks, Daniela
Every Bit Counts Local Land Service featuring Little Valley Farm
Owning a few Alpacas and enjoying the serenity of your lush green pasture is the dream for some landholders.
Daniela Riccio and Euan Wilcox from Little Valley Farm in the Hunter Valley are living that dream.
It's been a big lifestyle change adjusting to life on the land, and Daniela understands the importance of reaching out for help.
Every Bit Counts is a program for small landholders looking to connect to hundreds of like-minded people trying to improve their land, production capacity and environment.
Visit our brand new Every Bit Counts website, to find resources designed especially for you: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ebc
Sign up to our Small Landholder Network, and keep up to date with upcoming events and issues: https://hunterlls.wufoo.com/.../every-bit-counts-small...
Register for our Blockies’ Bootcamp, kickstart your land management know how: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/.../every.../blockies-bootcamp
And enjoy these beautiful animals!!
Alpaca Yarn available online
We have been super busy sorting and spinning our fabulous alpaca fleece the last couple of months.
Chinchilla our gorgeous grey yarn is now ready to purchase online.
It's all made and hand-spun in the Hunter Valley. So what would you like to knit, crochet or felt with this?
Click on the link below to read more about Chinchin's yarn
Alpaca Workshop and Training
This week
This week we had the pleasure of talking about our bush fire preparations for livestock at Little Valley Farm. A three part series created by SES, DPI & LLS.
Thanks to the amazing film crew and of course the guest appearance from the LVF alpacas.
April-May the series will be released.
Alpaca Workshop and Training
Due to a cancellation, we have one spot available at our Alpaca workshop Sunday 7th February from 10:30am.
The following workshop date is now Sunday 14th March.
Read more about our workshops for small farms or acreage.
Photo credit: Miss Majestic the alpaca also known as the photo-bomber!
Little Valley Farm in the media
Today we had the pleasure of talking about our bush fire preparations for livestock at Little Valley Farm. A three-part series created by SES, DPI and LLS.
Thanks to the amazing film crew and of course the guest appearance from the LVF alpacas.
April-May the series will be released. 😀
Alpaca Sales in the Hunter Valley
Besides running workshops in the Hunter Valley, Little Valley Farm also provides mentoring and guidance for new alpaca owners.
If you are looking into having alpacas on your farm and are not 100% sure then this booklet by AAA called "Managing Alpacas in Australia", is a great and super easy read to get you started.
Also, at our workshops, we provide the Ag guide 'Farming Alpacas' which is a more in-depth overview of managing alpacas.
For now, check out the booklet on alpacas and you can purchase online from us. Simply click here.
We will be updating our livestock sales list later this month. Click here to see what is currently available.
Alpaca Workshop and Training for small farms & acreage
Our February workshops are fully booked but we do have four places available for March 14th.
Alpacas are fascinating animals, but they require special management. Join us for our unique alpaca workshop that is perfect for people living on small farms or acreage. A great introduction to see if alpacas are the right fit for your farm.
Read more here
Little Valley Farm ~ Alpaca Workshop and Training for small farms & acreage in the Hunter Valley
If you are heading to the Hunter Valley and require accommodation let us know as we have a list of places to stay that are close by in Laguna, Wollombi and Cessnock (near the vineyards) so you may as well make a weekend out of it).
Baby Piaf at Little Valley Farm
Baby Piaf strikes a pose!
You get to meet this little beauty when you book your exclusive farm stay with us or book in for an alpaca workshop.
Learn more about these majestic creatures before you venture into your own alpaca journey.
Workshops for small farms and acreage
www.littlevalleyfarm.com.au/online-products/alpacatraining
Alpacas are fascinating animals, but they require special management. Join us for our unique alpaca workshop that is perfect for people living on small farms or acreage. A great introduction to see if alpacas are the right fit for your farm.
Photo credit Little Valley Farm ⓒ
Huacaya and Suri Alpacas at Little Valley Farm
Alpaca breeder in the Lower Hunter Valley
No rain today and we are pretty happy. It's kinda soggy out there on some of the paddocks.
Snowy and Panna keeping me in good company today. The rest of the girls are chilling under the amber trees.
Alpaca workshops for 2021 now available. Jump on our website for more details.
Alpaca workshops in the Hunter Valley
What a beautiful way to end our week!
Another wonderful alpaca workshop with our fabulous alpacas and wonderful guests. We had such a great time hosting everyone and talking alpacas.
We ended the workshop with a sitdown grazing platter from @Lagunavillageprovidore and a cool down affogato caffee. My fav coffee with ice cream on a hot summers day.
January workshops are fully booked and our next one is scheduled for February 7th.
Discover more on our alpaca workshops in the Hunter Valley here.
Like our Little Valley Farm Facebook page
Stay up to date on our alpaca farm in the Hunter Valley. There is lots going on from farm stays, to alpaca workshops for new owners including the annual open day to the public including yarn and fleece for sale.
Fibre of the Gods!
Sustainable, renewable, ethical, biodegradable. Alpaca is one of the finest animal fibres in the world, comparable to mohair, cashmere and other rare fibres.
No wonder its referred to as the Fibre of the Gods!
There are two types of alpacas – Huacaya (pronounced Wuh-kai-ya) and the Suri. Huacaya fibre is similar to sheep fibre with a crimpy structure to the fibre but without the lanolin. Suri fibre can be described as a flat fibre that handles and behaves like silk when processed and dyed. The fibre hangs in locks from the alpacas and is considered a premium fibre.
Check out this four-star chart comparing alpaca to wool, cotton and feather/down.
So be sustainable and get into alpaca now.
Contact us for raw fleece, yarn supplies and also in-fills for cushions, bean bags and soft toys.
Alpaca Fleece
Shearing has been done for 2020 and our beautiful alpacas are now ready for Summertime.
We have now saddles available to purchase for $10, $20 and $30 in white, fawn and chocolate in Huacaya and Suri fleece.
Pick up is in Laguna via appointment only from November 1st. We have over 40 saddles currently available that are perfect for spinning and felting.
We also have raw fleece available suitable for stuffing for handmade knitted toys or cushions from $10 per bag.
Handspun 8 ply alpaca huacaya fleece