The Entre-Manure You Have to Meet

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life; I’ve dabbled as a physician’s assistant, a scuba diver, an x-ray technician, a photographer, a lot of things. The cool thing about alpacas is that they meet all my needs,” says Laurel Shouvlin with a laugh. She calls herself the “alpaca entre-manure,” and insists that taking care of a herd of alpacas keeps her healthy and vibrant.

Laurel and her husband, Tim, own Bluebird Hills Farm, an alpaca sanctuary of sorts just north of Springfield on Derr Rd. The farm, nestled atop a small hill, is home to over 70 furry, long-necked critters, all of which have unique personalities (according to Laurel). Alpacas are a cousin of the llama, and are raised primarily for their wool, which is sold to make a variety of commodities such as hats, scarves, and rugs.

Laurel Shouvlin looks at her alpacas

Gordy in front of her alpaca friends

But contrary to the name of the farm, there are no bluebirds.

“That’s a terrible marketing decision, isn’t it?” Laurel laughs.

Laurel is a warm and inviting woman with a stocky build and years of experience with raising and breeding alpacas. But why alpacas?

“I wanted to raise livestock I didn’t have to kill to make a profit,” says Laurel as one of the numerous reasons she raises and breeds the animal.

So the Shouvlins shear and sell alpaca fiber once a year, which goes for about $3 an ounce. Expensive material, but Laurel explains that alpaca wool is eco-friendly because it doesn’t contain greasy residue like sheep wool. Furthermore, alpacas are environmentally friendly animals because they are easy on pastures and simply graze or eat hay. 

It’s hard not to fall in love with the gangly and awkward alpaca, with their long necks, bulging eyes, and toupee-like hairdos.  And it is clear while visiting Bluebird Hills that the Shouvlins love their work, too. Laurel’s friendly personality is an infectious part of this farm where “there is never a dull moment,” she says, as her Great Pyrenees, Gordy, puts her soggy paws up on the fence, begging for a head scratch.

When they aren’t tending to their alpacas, the Shouvlins give tours of their facility to local nurseries, preschools, and even high school classes. Last year, the Shouvlins grew organic vegetables on their farm, but had to retire due to lack of business. The Shouvlins only manage to break even in this economic climate. And Laurel is just fine with that.

Laurel’s love for her herd is a mutual one, although, she admits that you still have to be on your guard when you’re around an alpaca.

“You’ve got to be careful when they’re spitting off,” she says, “The first one is usually a blank, but then they regurgitate and they’re loaded.”