ALPACAS FARM LIFE B&B

Alpacas are members of the Camelid family and are found indigenously in South America. Alpaca husbandry is centuries old in Bolivia, Chile and Peru, but new to the United States since 1984 when they were first imported to North America.
Alpacas are partial ruminants. They have three stomach compartments, chew cud and efficiently convert 

Alpacas are members of the Camelid family and are found indigenously in South America. Alpaca husbandry is centuries old in Bolivia, Chile and Peru, but new to the United States since 1984 when they were first imported to North America.
Alpacas are partial ruminants. They have three stomach compartments, chew cud and efficiently convert grass and hay into energy. They live 15 to 25 years, are approximately three feet tall at the withers and on average weigh about 150 pounds.
There are two breeds of alpacas which are differentiated by their fleece. 

Huacayas have fluffy, crimpy fiber. Suris have straight fiber that hangs down in long locks.
Alpacas are intelligent, gentle, curious creatures. They are relatively self-sufficient and hardy. Income can be earned on alpacas without killing them. 

They produce an "annual crop" of fleece (an average of eight pounds per animal) which is sold by the ounce. Alpaca fleece is considered a specialty fiber in the fashion world. It is more luxurious than cashmere, extremely light and warm due to its thermal nature, very resilient and incredibly fine to touch. Alpacas provide attractive investment potential and financial tax advantages.
To read more, click here.

We currently have just 4 alpacas left  on our farm... down from our all-time high of 75 alpacas!

We have package deals available if you're ready to start your own herd! Pricing depends on multiple variables, including lineage, age, conformation, fleece quality, and breeding/birthing experience. We have deals for  every budget.

Click here to see our animals for sale at openherd.com.

We are members of AOA.

Located just 10 minutes north of Moscow, Idaho, we are nestled in the rolling hills of the Palouse.

"Discovered in 1805 by Lewis and Clark, the Palouse is a geologic wonder unlike any other area.  Mesmerizing beauty and a sweeping landscape of rolling hills and plateaus greet visitors to this distinctive region north of the Snake River i

Located just 10 minutes north of Moscow, Idaho, we are nestled in the rolling hills of the Palouse.

"Discovered in 1805 by Lewis and Clark, the Palouse is a geologic wonder unlike any other area.  Mesmerizing beauty and a sweeping landscape of rolling hills and plateaus greet visitors to this distinctive region north of the Snake River in Southeast Washington and North Central Idaho. This is the place simply to drive leisurely along and gently curving highways, sprinkled with antique shops and wineries, with easy access to hiking and biking and above all, photography.

 If you ever needed to stop the world and relax, this is the place for it. This land was originally occupied by the nomadic Palus tribe, renowned as expert equestrians. It is generally thought that French-Canadian fur traders converted the name of the tribe to the more familiar French word pelouse, which means "land with short thick grass." 

The area has since become known for growing wheat and legumes and is home to small towns with a rich history and charm. Pullman, Washington and Moscow, Idaho are the main hub communities. Settlers came to the area in 1871, for the abundant grassland and available timber for building.

The rolling hills of the Palouse offer a unique agricultural experience for local farmers. In the spring, the loess hills are bright green and speckled with an array of beautiful wildflowers. Before harvest in the fall, the hills are brushed with the golden colors of ripe crops, and some fields are filled with bright yellow canola. Area crops include wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, and canola. Peas, lentils and chickpeas have been grown on the Palouse for over 100 years, generally as rotation crops with wheat. Farmers appreciate the special nitrogen-fixing properties of these three crops, whose roots gathenitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil surrounding the roots. This natural process helps reduce the farmers' dependence on commercial fertilizers, and this nitrogen benefit remains even after harvest, giving a boost to the wheat crop that is planted on that same field in the next season." - Moscow Chamber of Commerce

Our story began in 1993 when alpacas were featured on the Today Show. My grandmother, Joyce Gray—my beloved "Nana"—decided she simply had to have one. One alpaca quickly became ten, and before long our herd continued to grow. We were the second alpaca farm in Idaho, and today alpaca farms can be found across the state and throughout the c

Our story began in 1993 when alpacas were featured on the Today Show. My grandmother, Joyce Gray—my beloved "Nana"—decided she simply had to have one. One alpaca quickly became ten, and before long our herd continued to grow. We were the second alpaca farm in Idaho, and today alpaca farms can be found across the state and throughout the country.

Nana had a vision to create something truly special. About a year after bringing home our first alpaca, Remy, she convinced my parents, Paul and Connie, to join her on the adventure. I was just seven years old when Remy arrived, and I instantly fell in love with these gentle, curious animals. More than three decades later, I still am.

Growing up on the farm shaped who I am. My childhood was filled with trips to the veterinarian, unforgettable moments with my grandparents, weekends at regional alpaca shows, helping run our country store, halter-training alpacas, and yes—plenty of poop scooping. Looking back, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

In 2002, our family experienced a heartbreaking loss when Nana passed away after battling brain cancer. We downsized the herd, closed the store, and life changed in ways we never expected. As the years passed, I grew up, got married, and moved away.

About a year later, my Papa married the sweetest woman, Karil. Together they brought new life back to the farm and kept Nana's dream alive. Even though I no longer lived nearby, I missed the ranch deeply. By then I had children of my own, and I wanted them to experience the same magical childhood I had been so fortunate to have.

In July 2015, I jokingly suggested that we should buy Papa and Karil out so they could finally "retire." What started as a joke became reality later that year, and Grazing Hills Alpacas became our family's dream come true.

Nana's vision has always remained at the heart of everything we do—to create a place that is welcoming, memorable, and unlike anywhere else. We opened our Bed & Breakfast in 2016, reopened our farm store in 2018, and dreamed of adding an event venue to continue sharing this special place with others.