Steve and Sandy Clemons
Many years ago, Steve and Sandy attended an alpaca show to learn more about the animals. The couple fell in love with alpacas and found the people showing their animals were welcoming and friendly. Several farmers invited the Clemons to visit and learn more about alpacas. In 2014, the Clemons sold their home in Andover and purchased a farm in Isanti County.
The Clemons currently own 35 Huacaya alpacas. They raise, breed, and show them nationally. The family also sells products created from the fiber of their animals. Steve and Sandy provide tours of their farm and help educate the public about how sustainable and earth-friendly alpacas are. The Clemons help people choose animals for their intended use whether it be for breeding, show, fiber, or simply farm friends. The couple provides mentoring partnerships with farms that purchase alpacas from them.
The Clemons also raise egg-layers and meat birds including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and quail. They breed great Pyrenees dogs as well. The dogs are great guardians and help protect the alpacas.
Steve handles all breeding decisions and is the main alpaca handler on the farm. He attends educational sessions whenever possible and brings that information back to the farm as part of his efforts to improve their animals’ health, fiber and genetics.
Sandy works alongside Steve, she handles medication usage, keeps records, maintains the operation’s social media presence, takes care of advertising, and handles financial matters. Sandy oversees inventory and sales for the farm’s alpaca product store, Alpaca Shacka.
The Clemons are members of the Minnesota Grown and Poultry Processors of Minnesota. They sell fully processed poultry directly to consumers. They also sell fresh produce grown on the farm.
Steve and Sandy’s farm is a host farm of Harvest Host where RV’ers stay on the farm overnight and learn more about it. The Clemons have also worked with 4-H youth helping to educate 4-H members about alpacas.