Hello Winter 2023

It's that magical time of year again - winter in the valley! We can't help but feel excited about bonfire nights, toasty marshmallows, and our luxurious Finnish dry sauna. There's so much to appreciate during this season; we're ready to soak it all in.


What's New

You may have all seen the photos of our gorgeous donkeys, Maisie May and Loxie Love. We can excitedly introduce our new jack, His Royal Highness Honkie Hamlet of Laguna. 

We picked up this lovely jack on his majesty weekend hence the HRH title. We always like to have fun naming our beloved pets. 

Our donkeys are the rare English/Irish breed, and we have them for their gentle and friendly nature. We can't wait to breed our girls when they age four. It will be another learning curve for me. For now, it's lots of halter training, hoof trimming, brushes and heaps of cuddles. 


Smitten to bits by this little Jack. He already has me wrapped around his hoof.


Alpaca PURE Duvets 

We love our new made-in-Australia Alpaca PURE Duvets. Our bedroom is super cold, and it's such a great time to snuggle and enjoy every moment in bed. If you have recently stayed in our cabins, you would have also enjoyed them. We have them available in Double, Queen and King to purchase. HINT: Use your discount code below.  Shop Duvets here.


What's coming up 

We are excited to share some wonderful news about the upcoming Alpaca Workshops. These workshops will take place in August and will continue on a monthly basis, every Sunday. To secure your spot for you and your child and to find out the dates for 2023, kindly follow the link provided. We can't wait to have you be a part of this fantastic experience, and we have an alpaca gift for the kids to take home. See the alpaca workshop dates here and to book.



Alpaca Sales for pets 

Coming up Springtime. Make sure you follow our blog for updates on our alpaca progress. Keep up to date here or drop me an email.



Let's Yarn

Cool days and cold nights mean staying at home and enjoying spinning, knitting or crocheting. We have some wonderful handspun and fibre-milled yarn available on our shop cart. And make sure you show us your creations.  Shop the yarn here.



Thank you 

Thank you so much for subscribing to our mailing list! We really appreciate your support. As a small token of our gratitude, we wanted to offer you a discount code that you can use on our website. This code will give you 10% off your stay, alpaca duvets, plus any alpaca yarn you purchase. Just use the code -

SUB-ALL-10 at checkout! Thank you again for joining our community. See you all soon. Daniela



Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

We would like to invite you to the upcoming alpaca workshop at Little Valley Farm. The spots for this event are limited, so be sure to book your reservation online before June 18th, 2023 to secure your place. During the workshop, we will introduce you to the majestic creatures from Laguna, and the event will begin promptly at 10:30am. This is an experience that you won't want to miss!

Meet Summertime Opal by Suki and Sire Richmond, Huacaya Alpaca

“Feeling intimidated by farm life? No need to worry! This starter guide gives you the courage and foundation needed for a successful farming adventure. Get ready - your journey begins here!”
— Daniela

Learn about the different alpaca breeds.

The Suri breed, which is rarer of the two breeds, has long dreadlocked fleece that hangs from their body like tassels. Their fleece is vibrant in lustre and has a silky soft feel. This fleece is primarily used to make fine and luxurious cloth for high-end fashion garments.

Huacaya is the most common of the two breeds making up 90% of the world's population; the fleece is similar to that of Marino sheep and grows out from the body with crimp; it is bright and shiny but has no lanolin. The fleece is used in the production of knitted garments like jumpers and scarves and in the manufacture of luxury carpets, and seat covers through to duvets, doonas and pillows.

Llamas

We do not keep llamas. However, it is worth noting the difference between llamas and alpacas. The primary difference is their size. Alpacas are smaller, measuring around 90 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 55 and 65 kg. On the other hand, llamas are larger, standing at about 120 cm at the shoulder and weighing approximately 113 kg or more.


What do we do with all our alpaca fleece?

At Little Valley Farm, we hand-spin wool into yarn balls and send some of it to the fibre mill for skein processing. We also use the fleece to make our own cushions, and some of our clients use it for their soft toy making. We also make our own duvets, which you can find online. See them online here.


Little Valley Farm is a unique alpaca farm located in the Hunter Valley. We take great pride in providing hands-on training to our friendly and adorable alpacas, and their care is our top priority. Our daily routine involves spending quality time with them, hand-feeding them, and frequently relocating them to new paddocks to ensure they have access to the freshest grass possible, which is essential for their overall health.

We want to invite you to join us at our next monthly alpaca workshop, where we will cover all aspects of alpaca health and welfare. You will learn how to enjoy and get the most out of living with these wonderful animals. We look forward to seeing you there! Any questions, drop me an email via the contact page. Thank you, Daniela

Sydney Agri-Tourism Chat on Radio Weekend Morning Show ABC702AM

I have been fortunate enough to have regular conversations with Simon Marnie from the Weekend Morning Show on ABC 702 AM since 2019.

We cover various topics related to agri-tourism that I enjoy, such as harvest trails, Pick Your Own Produce around Sydney, including happening farmers’ markets.

Tune in this weekend at 6 am on ABC 702 AM to listen to our conversation. Listen to the show here or download the APP here







My snapshot of what is happening this weekend.

Hunter Valley 

Talga Estate Lovedale 

POMEGRANATE Pick Your Own

Attention to all those interested in picking pomegranates! 

Talga Estate is currently offering daily pickings from 9 am to 5 pm until further notice. You can savour the sweet and tart fruit with its thick, red skin that contains hundreds of juicy seeds. Although the skin is not edible, the seeds can be eaten plain, added to salads, or used in other dishes. A delicious seasonal fruit. https://www.facebook.com/talgaestate


Bilpin

TNT Produce Pick Your Own Bilpin

PYO every weekend and public holiday till the end of June.

10 am to 4 pm

PYO Delicious crunchy, juicy PINK LADY APPLES. $5 kilo

Best tasting PYO TOMATOES only today as limited stock. $5 kilo

Entry is $10 per person/children 3 to 12yrs $5

Bilpin Fruit Bowl

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May. 10 am and 3 pm

Pink Lady $5.00/kg

Granny Smith $5.00/kg and Figs $20.00/kg

Adult entry $20 / Child between 3 & 12 years $10 per child to farm. Under 3 yo free.

https://bilpinfruitbowl.com.au/pro.../pick-your-own-booking/  

Autumn Garden Adventures this Mother’s Day 

Wildwood Garden Bilpin

They have hit peak autumn!  This private garden looks wonderful, filled with autumn leaf colour, and the sasanqua camellias are blooming—experience autumn in the mountains this weekend and right through to Mother's Day.

Open Friday to Monday from 10 am-4 pm 

https://www.facebook.com/WildwoodGardenatBiLpin

Nooroo Garden Mt Wilson

Historic Australian Garden 

Book in for an adventure and discover 140 years of horticultural history with their guided tours to make the most of the stunning gardens. 

Open until 28 May 2023. 10 am to 4 pm. 

Adults $10, children $2 

Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mt Tomah 

1.5 hours Walking tours of the Garden's rich and unique history and introduce you to some of the birds who make the gardens their home.  

Every Sunday via donation or wednesday in Autumn 

Then Winter walks on Fridays. Book via their website. 

Canoelands Orchard 

HARVESTING NOW: Bookings Essential They are holding a Mother’s Day weekend special. 

Limes are $10/kg; gourmet tomatoes are $6/kg, and occasional Eggplant $8/kg.

Book online to secure your place. https://canoelandsorchard.com/

Markets

Gourmet Food, Freshly locally grown flowers for Mother’s Day. 


Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Markets 

Saturday, 8 am to 12 noon. 

https://www.facebook.com/HarvestTrailsAndMarkets/

Carriageworks Farmers Market

245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm

Another Genuine Farmer Market where all products sold must be grown, produced or made by the farmers:

Camden Fresh Produce Market

24 stalls to enjoy producers' market and artisan products

Open Every Saturday 7 am - 12Midday

Camden Town Farm  Exeter Street Camden

https://www.camdenproducemarket.com.au/about-us/

Orange Grove Market Lillyfield

Every Saturday, 9-1 pm. 

Farm fresh & organic produce gourmet food bread fashion plants flowers for mum. 


Find more markets near you across Sydney via

Sydney.com and Harvest Trails and Markets.

Know a great market or harvest event? Share it with us. Contact Daniela Riccio on the form below.

Special thanks to Simon Marnie and producer Georgia Bateman.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/sydney/programs/weekendmornings

Alpaca Duvets for sale in the Hunter Valley

Alpaca duvets are excellent for keeping warm during cold winter nights. Alpaca wool is a natural fiber known for its insulating properties, making it ideal for bedding. Alpaca wool is also hypoallergenic, breathable, and lightweight, making it a comfortable and practical option for those who want to stay warm and cozy during winter.

Get your very own Little Valley Alpaca PURE Duvets online and be ready for the cold winter nights.

We use Australia Post to send our duvets and will email you a tracking number for delivery. Any questions, please email or call Daniela at Little Valley Farm. We are a small family business in the Hunter Valley so do expect a real person to chat to and not some bot!

Wholesale rates. If you're a provider of accommodations in Australia with an ABN number, you can now benefit from our wholesale rates. Please get in touch with Daniela for further information.

Thanks for supporting a small Australian business. Daniela and the alpacas. x

Source: https://www.littlevalleyfarm.com.au/shop/alpaca-pure-100-alpaca-duvet

Alpaca Yarn for sale in the Hunter Valley

Get ready to craft something special with our handspun alpaca yarn! This luxurious fawn-colored yarn is perfect for your next project - not only providing an incredible softness and comfort, but made sustainably from Tamworth our cria, one of the newest additions to our farm. It's time you create a luxury piece that shows off both nature and nurture in style!

Handspun approx 8 PLY Colour: Fawn

Name: Cria Tamworth

10 yarn balls (not sold separately)

Each yarn weights approx 70-80 g each.

I have taken photos of the yarn outside to try and capture its true fawn colour. Please note, that it may look slightly different on your devices. As its handspun yarn there will be variations.

Alpaca Yarn for Sale Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley artisans have crafted a unique and limited edition of special Huacaya alpaca yarn!

Our alpacas were sheared in September 2022, and then the fleece was handspun to perfection by January 2023.

You can enjoy this gorgeous grey with flecks of brown Huacaya yarn from our Luitenant.

This extraordinary creation won't be available online again until the next shearing - so don't miss out on adding some beautiful Australian craftsmanship to your yarn collection!

Approximately 70g-80g per ball, 21 Yarn balls. See our shop cart for the price.

Photo: Please note that devices may not show the actual colour, so we have photographed the yarn outside to capture its actual colour.

Alpaca Yarn Huacaya Hunter Valley

No chemicals were used in the process, and it has been handspun hand-washed skein and then dried and ready to be knitted.

To order, purchase from our shop cart below. P&P charges will apply.

Postage via Australia Post with tracking number that will be sent to you.

Traditional craftsmanship meets modern fashion! This yarn has been lovingly spun and hand-washed by artisans, a process free from any harsh chemicals. Now ready to be knitted into something fabulous, it's the perfect combination of old and new - timeless skill with stylish flair.

Best worn close to your heart.

Grey alpaca at Little Valley Farm. Photo take early morning

Lieutenant

His fleece.

Little Valley Farm is located in the Wollombi Valley, Laguna. Hunter Valley. NSW

Farming Alpacas in the Hunter Valley

Have you ever wanted to learn more about farming and caring for Alpacas?  Do you have a small herd or recently purchased a property with an interest in livestock?  Little Valley Farm, based in the Lower Hunter Valley, has been working with alpacas since 2012. Our alpaca workshops are one of the most well-recognised and attended in NSW since being established in 2019. Workshops happen throughout the year, at least monthly. 

Little Valley Farm is based in the Wollombi Valley at Laguna, under two hours from Sydney and 90 minutes from Newcastle. 

Most attendees come because they love Alpacas and want to know more about them before purchasing their farm or acreage property. 

Little Valley Farm reviews essential topics such as Alpaca care, fencing, shelters, feed, shearing and all alpaca husbandry needs during these workshops.  People also learn how to handle alpacas carefully and confidently. It's a great insight into the world of a small hobby farm and the personalities and character of each alpaca. 


The workshop ends with a chat and morning tea overlooking the farm. This is a perfect chance to gain from other people's experiences and properties and to meet other alpaca and small farm enthusiasts. 

Photo credit Matt Hoorspol

Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

Sunday is our alpaca workshop day and another sunny weekend coming up. Learn before you purchase your alpacas so you know what to look for before committing to alpaca ~ 20 years of life. Yeap, they sure do live a long time so let's make it a happy one.

Learn about why Bio-Security is important, livestock welfare, and health, including your duties & responsibilities under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for your hobby farm.

Places are left for Sunday, so book online and then our next one will be in January 2023.

Donkey shenanigans are part of the fun, as are morning tea and our alpaca manual for you to take home. Kids receive a special alpaca gift. It's going to be another beautiful weekend in the Hunter.

We are under two hours from Sydney so come join our alpaca network and make new friends along the way.

Euan & Daniela

We love what we do and are very happy to share it with you, so get in contact with us before you purchase any alpacas.

Frequently Asked Questions here

Facetime for Fleece

Facetime For Fleece

No time to travel to us this weekend?

No worries, we will set up FACETIME for fleece on Saturday.

Lots of beautiful white, fawn, and some brown and grey fleece to spin and felt. Lovely Suri and Huacaya. Saddles $25 to $35.

If you are looking for soft toy or dog bed infill fleece, we will have that available also in mixed-coloured fleece bags.

Send me a DM, and I'll call you after 10 am so you can see the bags of fleece and then confidently order online. Thanks, Daniela

The Best Duvets are made with Alpaca Fleece

When it comes to finding the perfect duvet, there are a lot of factors to consider. But if you're looking for the best of the best, you can't go wrong with one made from alpaca fleece. Alpaca fleece offers superior insulation and is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the perfect material for those with sensitive skin. Plus, alpacas are curious and sensitive animals, making them a pleasure to breed and manage. Here at Little Valley Farm, we're well-known for our national parks and Australian wildlife. We're off-grid and sustainable in our on-farm practices. Alpacas fit that perfectly with a very low impact on the land.


There are a lot of reasons why alpaca fleece makes the best duvets. Firstly, it's a natural hollow fibre, which means it has superior insulation properties. It's also relatively lightweight, making it easy to move around when you're trying to get comfortable. Also, alpaca fleece is strong and durable, so you know your duvet will last for years. And finally, it's Hypoallergenic! This is perfect for those with sensitive skin who often have problems with other types of materials.

The Best Duvets are made in Australia.

When it comes to finding the perfect duvet, it's important to find one that's made in Australia. This is because Australian standards are some of the highest in the world when it comes to quality control. That means you can rest assured knowing that your duvet was made with the highest quality materials and construction methods.

If you're looking for the best duvet possible, look no further than one made from alpaca fleece. Alpaca fleece offers superior insulation and is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the perfect material for those with sensitive skin. Plus, alpacas are curious and sensitive animals, making them a pleasure to breed and manage. Our duvets are made in Australia to the highest quality standards. Visit our shop cart today to learn more!

Comes in Double, Queen and King sizes.

Which Duvet weight is right for me?

Duvets use ‘Grams Per Square Metre’ or gsm to indicate the product’s relative warmth. It refers to the weight of the quilt filling. So, the higher the gsm of filling, the warmer it is.

  • 200 gsm is good for Summer (roughly equivalent to 1-2 blankets)

  • 300 gsm is good for both Autumn and Spring (roughly equivalent to 2-3 blankets)

  • 500 gsm is good for Winter (roughly equivalent to 3-4 blankets)

Afterpay is a great way to get your purchase today and enjoy interest-free payments over time. Simply purchase online, sign up for AfterPay if you have an account - it's easy!

“100% Alpaca Pure Duvets have been tried and tested by the Queen of sleep, my wife! ”
— Euan
Source: https://www.littlevalleyfarm.com.au/shop/alpaca-pure-100-alpaca-duvet

Thinking of Getting Alpacas? Attend our Unique Alpaca Workshop!

Alpacas are unique, intriguing animals that require special management. If you're considering adding alpacas to your farm, join us for our one-of-a-kind workshop. You'll gain valuable insights into whether or not alpacas are the right fit for your farm. Our workshop is perfect for people living on small farms or acreages.

What to Expect at the Workshop

At our workshop, you'll learn about alpacas and what it takes to care for them. We'll cover topics such as shelter, nutrition, breeding, fibre production, and more. You'll also get to meet some of our alpacas and see how they interact with us. Not only is this a great introduction to alpacas, but it's also a lot of fun!

Workshop Pricing Information

Adults: $159 includes our alpaca manual for you to take home.

Children $39 includes a special alpaca gift pack.

The price includes refreshments.

Dates available

Sunday 16th October and Sunday 13th November 2022 at 10:30 am.

Register early to reserve your spot as we are the longest-running workshop with attendees from all over NSW.

So, if you're considering getting alpacas, we encourage you to attend our workshop. It's a great way to learn about these amazing animals and find out if they're the right fit for your farm.

We hope to see you there!

Euan and Daniela

Photo of our adorable Oberon at last months workshop. Sweet as a button and gentle like a butterfly. I am sure she will come up to you at the next workshop.

The best Duvets are filled with Alpaca Fleece - the Warmest and Softest bedding for any Climate

Blog Introduction: Are you looking for a new duvet? Do you want something that is soft, warm, and perfect for pretty much any climate? If so, you should consider investing in a duvet filled with alpaca fleece, the ultimate natural fibre for comfortable bedding.

Alpacas are domesticated animal that is part of the camelid family. Alpacas are native to South America and were first domesticated by the Inca civilization over 6,000 years ago. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri. The vast majority of alpacas in the world are Huacaya, and these beautiful animals have amazing fleece perfect for duvets and bedding.

Alpacas are bred for their fibre which is extremely soft, warm, and durable. In fact, alpaca fibre is often compared to cashmere. Alpaca fiber comes in over 20 different natural colours including white, fawn, brown, black, and grey.

Alpaca fleece is the perfect filling for duvets because it is soft, warm, and lightweight. It is also hypoallergenic which makes it a great option for people who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Alpaca fleece is a sustainable resource since it can be shorn from the animals, right here on the farm, without harming them. Alpacas are very gentle on the land due to their soft feet. Their fleece does not contain lanolin so it does not need to be treated with harsh chemicals like other types of wool.

If you are looking for a new duvet, I highly recommend considering one filled with alpaca fleece. It is the warmest, softest, and most sustainable option available. You will love snuggling up under your new duvet on cold winter nights!

If you are in the market for a new duvet, be sure to look into alpaca fleece as an option. Alpaca fleece is soft, warm, and perfect for any climate. It is also hypoallergenic and sustainable - making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a new duvet!

Suki says - Alpaca Duvets are clearly the best

Every guest enjoys these amazing and valuable Duvets when they stay in our Cabins.

See our Shop for more details on these beautifully made ‘Alpaca Pure’ Duvets.

Alpaca Pure Duvets by Little Valley Farm

We are highly excited to say our very own Alpaca Duvets are ready for people to take home with them! 

For eight years, we have toyed with the idea; we've made prototypes and experimented with various samples and ways to professionally manufacture them at a cost-effective smaller scale. 

We have now done it to a standard far beyond our original expectations and equal to the best in the market.

For the last three months, our guests have enjoyed our very own "Alpaca Pure" duvets in our cabins - but now we have produced a wide range to sell via our webstore.

We only use 100% Alpaca fleece with a 100% Sateen Cotton casing. This makes the most beautiful Soft & Warm duvet we have ever experienced.

Take a look online & let us know your thoughts!

Little Valley Farm is based in the Lower Hunter Valley. We have been working and breeding alpacas for ten years.

Take a read on what Hunter Hunter has to say about our farm in Laguna.

10 Of The Most Charming Farm Stays In NSW by Urban List

By Jessica Best and Sammy Preston
29th Aug 2022

https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/best-farm-stays-nsw

Bedroom in T4615, our 1950’s Red Rattler

Located about 90-minutes north of Sydney in Laguna, this charming farm brings together two great concepts: getting off the grid and alpacas. Little Valley Farm is all about getting in touch with your surroundings and minimising your environmental footprint. The owners are also registered alpaca breeders (so yes, you could potentially go home with one of these fluffy beings).

There are two rustic accommodation options to choose from and each gives you the freedom to be completely surrounded by bushland, paddocks (filled with the aforementioned fluffy ‘pacas), and fresh produce depending on the time of year. The T4615 Red Rattler is a converted 1950s train carriage. This guy packs a spacious bedroom with a queen bed, a camp-style kitchen, an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, an outdoor bath with hot water, hammocks, and two yoga mats that you can roll out on the deck.

Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

What a way to spend the weekend! Beautiful people, perfect sunny weather and lots of alpacas to talk about at our Sunday workshop.

Join us for our next alpaca workshop for new owners. Coming up Sunday 18th Sept, October 16th or Nov 13th. Book via our website for adults and children who want to learn more about alpacas and their well-being.

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Nov 22 maybe our final event for 22 before we gear up for Christmas.

Contact Daniela via our website littlevalleyfarm.com.au

Don't forget to sign up to our mailing list for future events.

.

Can't make it to our scheduled workshop? Ask Daniela, and we can arrange a private family event here or at your farm (if you already have alpacas).

Euan and Daniela have been working with alpacas since 2012 and are based in Laguna, Wollombi Valley in the Lower Hunter Valley. Just under two hours from Sydney. If you are wanting to stay in the area, let us know as we have accommodation for two nights (adults only), or can recommend some other wonderful places to stay close by. Just send Daniela an email.

Afterpay your alpaca yarn purchase

Did you know that you can now Afterpay your alpaca yarn via our website? There is no better time to stay at home knitting away with this glorious 100% alpaca yarn.

Our handspun yarn balls are done in the Wollombi Valley and our Fibre Mill skeins are processed on the Central Coast and we are so happy to be able to process it locally. The mill is under one hour from our farm and love the fact that I can just zip down there when I need, being so close.

Our next shearing day will be September/October 2022 where we will have a lot more fleece available for all the spinners out there. Stay tuned for updates and once our shearing day is complete. For now, we have our fingers and toes crossed for no more rain - can’t shear wet alpacas!

For now, get shopping online as we only have limited white/fawn yarn and skeins available and you don’t want to miss out.

Alpaca Workshop for August 2022 Hunter Valley

Ok, let's get back on track after two floods this year!

The July 2022 flood knocked us around, so we will resume our workshops early August.

We have a Friday edition on August 12th 2022, and then Sunday, August 21st 2022, starting at 10:30 am.

Workshops are a great way to find out if alpacas are suitable livestock for your farm and your lifestyle. We also have the free Alpaca Husbandry Hands-on, which is a deep dive into handling alpacas so you can gain confidence when handling them. We run the husbandry workshops only a couple of times a year and are exclusive to our LVF VIP members.


If you already have alpacas at your farm and would like Euan and me to run a workshop there, drop us a note and your location and number of people and alpacas.


Alpaca Workshop - The Starter Guide - come join us on Friday 12th August 2022 or Sunday 21st August 2022. It Starts at 10:30 am at our farm in Laguna. Adults $159 and including our alpaca book for you to take home and morning tea.

Who is this good-looking stud?

Welcome the Lieutenant to Little Valley Farm.

He travelled from South Australia and arrived the weekend of the Hunter Valley flood!

Our third working stud as part of our breeding 2023 program. I love his fleece and gentle temperament.

Thanks to James of Kobler Alpacas for this lovely stud.

We are always doing something new and exciting at Little Valley Farm, so if you have any ideas or want to learn more, please get in touch with Daniela. We have a couple of females coming up for sale as pets, as well as our beautiful alpaca yarn that you can purchase online.


Don’t forget we have our adult accommodation at Little Valley Farm for four people. So you can have the farm to yourself (no other guests) and enjoy bonfire nights, wood-fired pizzas by the train and our new dry sauna in the Shearers Studio.

Book direct and save with us. Now taking bookings for October 2022 onwards.

HINT: Subscribe to our website and you will receive a discount voucher to use for your accommodation. Saving you over $100.

Startect

We have ordered a five litre bottle of STARTECT to use on our alpacas. If you would like to find out more please do drop me a line. Thanks Daniela

Find out more and how it will assist with your worm control program here.