Looking for a way to supplement our future Social Security income started the birth and growth of Plum Ridge Alpacas. We found ourselves searching for an opportunity that would provide a lifestyle that we would enjoy as well as providing the financial income needed.

It began on May 27, 2000 when our daughter, Allison, moved to Elk Creek, in Spencer County Kentucky. She purchased a home on five acres of land and an adjoining lot of five acres on Plum Ridge Road. We would often tease her about mowing ten acres and finding some animals that would do it for her. After she moved, we made several visits to her home and fell in love with Spencer County living. We would often talk about how great it would be to live in the country, but what would we do?

The answer to both questions came to us on June 3, 2000 on the front page of the local paper's business section. It was a picture and an article featuring alpacas.

The article talked of the Alpaca Owners Breeders Association that was having its annual meeting in Louisville, KY. It told of the advantages and ease of raising alpacas and it featured a local farm that was doing so.

The picture of the animals and the article was so interesting that I had to learn more. Kathy and I went to the KY Fairgrounds and Expo Center, and spent the day seeing the animals, talking to the owners and learning everything we could. After that day, I was hooked.

On July 3, 2001 we joined A.O.B.A. Now we had to come up with a farm name for membership. We had several conversations about starting an Alpaca farm on Allison's five-acre lot on Plum Ridge Road. Thus the name Plum Ridge Alpacas was born.

It was in August of that summer that Kathy and I decided to sell our home in Louisville and move to Spencer County to start our Alpaca farm. We found the perfect location with five acres of land, a 40'x45' metal barn, fenced in pasture and a three bedroom ranch style home. On September 17, 2001, our dream became a reality and Plum Ridge Alpacas has a home. On December 7, 2001 we became incorporated.

Alpacas offer us the perfect business solution that met all our criteria. We are able to care for them with ease, enjoy their company, breed them, find caring homes for their offspring and market their fleece. This cycle never involves harm to the animals. Thus we have paralleled our philosophy of life with this business...And enjoy the rewards daily.