It began with a need.

So many U.S. Veterans have wound up on the streets and homeless. As a Combat U.S. Marine Veteran having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, my civilian mission was easy to decipher. My mission was to help homeless Veterans by providing warmth in the way of warm socks.

The journey began in 2019 when I founded my alpaca farm to generate the fleece with which the socks could be made. My herd and pastures grew throughout the seasons to provide enough fleece to create socks to distribute.

It turned into a passion.

As it turned out, I fell in love with the animals. Alpacas are kind and loving creatures that exude calm. In addition to fulfilling my quest to help Veterans, I’ve added a growing family to my home. 

Some of my favorite memories have been the birth of our two youngest alpacas, Dottie and Diesel. Dottie is a Cria, female and Diesel is a Machos, male. Dottie’s birth was complicated and required four of us to assist, but moments like this make raising alpacas even more rewarding.

Of the fifteen acres of land I live on in Boston, New York, about five acres are dedicated to my herd - so far! This land has been in the family since 1898 and has been passed down from family member to family member. I feel an immense sense of pride in nurturing my herd and helping keep Veterans warm.

To keep an eye on our herd, follow our Instagram account: @pursuitofhappinessalpacafarm