My Project
One of the components of the FFA is a SAE, a Supervised Agricultural Experience. This project is designed to help FFA members and students become prepared for the world outside of high school. SAE's can be everything from raising your dog to creating your own business to working in an ag-related store. I decided to do an entreupreneur SAE with alpaca. My project is designed as a four-year project with improvements and additions every year.
The first year of my SAE, I did a ton of research. I learned all about alpaca, what was best for them, what to do, what not to do, and how to safely contain the alpaca. I also started fencing in the alpaca pasture with 2x4 fencing and obtaining their shelter and waterer.
The second year of my project, I went and got four fiber boys from Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Betsy Gove at Sandhill Alpaca. I began to care for my alpaca, and began working with them to make sure they would be ok during community events. I took my boys to a local daycare, the Riverwalk Festival and the Hospital Fair. I also began to process the fiber that I got off of my four boys, learning how to spin the fiber, wash it correctly, and card it.
The third year of my project, I continued caring for my boys and processing their fiber. We went to the Riverwalk Festival and the Hospital Fair again, and I began to sell some of my hand-made products to friends and family members.
In the fourth year of my project, I went back to Sandhill Alpaca and got another fiber-boy. I attended the Riverwalk Festival and Hospital Fair, but also purchased tables at community events and Farmer's Markets to sell my products.
Now that I am out of high school, my SAE has technically ended. I still have to keep records for a few more years, as I hope to acquire my American Degree through FFA. However, this is most definitely not the end of my alpaca business! I hope to keep expanding my alpaca herd, sell more products, and keep increasing "alpaca awareness" in the community. Being away at college has made it difficult to keep things going, but my parents and my sister have been very helpful. I am able to make some knitted projects while at school, but plan on spending a lot of time, when back home, working with my boys, attending events, and making some more alpaca products!
