What do you call 95 alpacas and one guard llama? An adorable fluffy army—and the raison d’être behind Split Rock Farms in Apple Hill. Owners Glen and Lynda Finbow have been raising these beautiful animals since 2004 and recently relocated their operations to Apple Hill. In this interview, these alpaca aficionados discuss how they started farming, their move to South Glengarry, and what they love most about their furry friends.
How did you get into alpaca farming?
Glen: Clay Aiken.
Clay Aiken? The runner-up in the second season of American Idol?
Glen: In August of 2004, we got tickets to see him at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York. While we waited for him to come onstage we saw an advertisement for a nearby alpaca farm. After visiting it I said, “We could do this.” We didn’t know a thing about alpacas at the time, but we had a 50-acre farm in the Niagara region where we ran a bed and breakfast. We wanted to attract people with something more so we decided to start alpaca farming.
Why did you move to Apple Hill?
Glen: It’s really lucky that we ended up in SDG. Our property was no longer big enough for all of our animals, so we were faced with a decision: we either had to sell the alpacas and get out of farming, or keep going. We decided to continue so we had to find something that would be big enough for all of the animals. We looked all around Niagara, Guelph, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, everywhere, and we couldn’t find anything. I was on the computer, and I don’t know what happened, but somehow I hit Cornwall and this farm just came up. We kept looking at the property and what the area had to offer. And then when we came up here we fell in love with it.
What do you think so far?
Lynda: We love it here. The people are unbelievably nice. And our animals love it too! They’re healthier than they ever have been, don’t ask me what it is. We have a dog that has always had a very bad paw. Since we’ve moved here, all of her problems have gone away! One of our female alpacas always has flies in her ears in the summertime that cause her many problems. Since she’s been out here, she’s been fine.
We can’t figure it out. There’s something about the community and the air and the pastures that’s making them healthy. I don’t know what it is exactly but this is a magical place. —Glen
What do you love the most about alpacas?
Lynda: Well, honestly, we love animals more than people, and that’s the truth. They’re as smart as can be, they’re fun, and they’re all different. Their fleece is very luxurious. It’s several times warmer than wool, wicks moisture and dirt, dries very easily, and is hypoallergenic. It doesn’t have lanolin in it like wool does so it’s not itchy.
We noticed tags on the animals. What do they say?
Lynda: Their names. We started naming them after Beatles songs and then moved on to liquors, beers, and wines because there’s such a variety. We have an Irish Mist, a Bacardi, a Peppermint Schnapps, and a Sambuca. We also have one named after a beer in Toronto named Steam Whistle. We have a Stratus, a Champagne on Ice that we call Champ, and an Artiano, which is a beautiful Italian wine.
Do you have any favourites?
Glen: Uh, no.
Lynda: I do! Chocolate Martini. She comes up and gives me a hip bump every day just to let me know she’s there. I love Irish Mist and Dear Prudence and…there’s a lot of them that I like.
Can people visit the farm?
Glen: Yes, we’re continuing our tours through the property and hopefully once we get people trained, we’ll offer Walk-An-Alpaca experiences too.
Lynda: And the boutique is open too! People can come and find garments and other items made of alpaca fleece.
Last question: What’s the difference between an alpaca and a llama?
Lynda: 250 pounds.
Glen: We use our llama as a guard. Llamas are typically more aggressive so if a predator comes on the farm, she’ll be the first to step up.
Learn more about Split Rock Farms Alpacas and Glen and Lynda’s work on their website.
