WESTFIELD - As the threat of rain loomed over the Cross Roads Farm & Crafts Market, the first-ever Alpaca Pen Sale continued on by offering attendees seminars, music, food and information on alpacas.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County was invited to conduct a presentation on its 4-H Program. In particular, how its animal projects help youth gain skills that will benefit them for life responsibility, communication, decision making, organization, and setting and achieving goals. Like raising alpacas, these skills are grounded in research-based information, and strong technical knowledge and values 4-H youth acquire during their years of participation.

An alpaca is a native of South American mountains and primarily eats, forages and browses. The size of a sheep, alpacas can live 20 or more years and be ready for breeding at two years of age. There are many reasons that make alpacas an easy animal to raise and breed. Alpacas require minimal veterinary needs, less expensive fencing, smaller acreage, and have a low cost of feeding ($250/year).

"Alpacas are also environmentally friendly," said Evelyn Brumwell, event coordinator and owner of YB Normal Suri Alpacas & Friends. "They eat grass by clipping it, not pulling it out of the ground. They have padded feet so they don't damage the ground. And, they all use one communal area for their pellet-sized droppings." Brumwell noted that alpacas are no longer considered an exotic; they are now considered a viable livestock industry under Internal Revenue Service Law, Section 179.

Currently, there are about 100,000 alpacas in the United States. With more than 100 years of worldwide sales of alpaca fiber, prices have remained stable for over 25 years. As part of celebrating 10-years in the alpaca business, Brumwell wanted to use this event to share her experience and knowledge about this wonderful and gentile animal.

According to The Alpaca Registry: "Alpacas are members of the camelid (camel) family. They are mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature and a penchant for bringing great delight to their owners.

"Alpacas are very intelligent animals that respond to a variety of training and handling techniques. They learn to halter and lead in a short time period, and even children find most alpacas to be safe and easy to handle.

"Alpacas are gentle by nature, easy to care for, and are a great way to enhance your life, no matter where you live urban, suburban or rural."