White Barn Meadows Story

White Barn Meadows is Maine's only alpaca farm that specializes in selling affordable non-breeding males, or what are generally known as geldings. Owner Nancy Durst buys and brokers alpacas exclusively from the best breeding farms in the Northeast, focussing on finding the finest quality fiber males for her customers. Her business mission is to match her alpacas to good/caring homes and to educate the public that these males are affordable and produce outstanding fiber. She is often referred to as the Gelding Match-Maker.

During a challenging time when family was deployed to Iraq in 2002, Nancy began visiting alpaca farms for relief from worry and stress. Seeing the alpacas was "love at first sight. It was like being part of a story line in one of Dr. Seuss' Books. They just made me laugh, which I really needed at that time." When she learned that pet quality geldings were much less expensive to buy than breeding stock, there was no going back. Her visits became serious research and by 2004 she had her farm prepared for her first four alpacas.

As she got more involved in Maine's small livestock community, Nancy became aware of occasional situations where non-breeding alpacas ended up in need of rescue. Most communities have local animal shelters, and regional organizations exist to help large livestock, but for alpaca and llamas there was no organized resource. Nancy committed her farm to be Maine's primary fiber male broker and provider. The mission of White Barn Meadows Alpacas is simple: educate newcomers on alpacas---from setting up pasture and shelter to their daily care, and to place non-breeding alpacas into loving homes. Nancy's alpacas have truly enhanced her life and she has resolve to make sure she never takes a phone call about an alpaca in need of resue.

Nancy is also a full time art teacher at Falmouth High School and relishes balancing her career with taking care of her llama and eleven alpacas. "There are many mornings and nights I just sit in the pasture in disbelief that I actually have this wonderful farm and such beautiful animals. It's a dream come true." Nancy takes pride in her farm and her animals and welcomes visitors. Once you see White Barn Meadow's alpacas, you too will be hooked!

White Barn Meadows commitment to the alpacas:

  • They will be sold only to caring individuals who can provide a clean, safe environment, free of toxic elements and with appropriate shelter, fencing, fresh water, second cut hay and supplemental nutritional needs as well as providing the required monthly and annual shots.
  • WBM will not sell to individuals that are not educated in regard to alpaca needs.
  • WBM will be assured that they will always participate in a minimal herd of four.

White Barn Meadows commitment to buyers:

  • WBM will take the time necessary to properly educate customers on all aspects of caring for their alpacas, teaching them the details of routine care such as giving shots and trimming nails.
  • WBM will help them with barn set up and fencing.
  • WBM will provide ongoing support in caring for their new friends.

 

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Nancy Durst, October 2006