10 minute read
Angie Rish
I still work at Effingham Hospital as an ultrasound technician, and I feel very blessed to be able to work there two days a week and to also have the farm.”
Angie says the name of the farm is no accident. “Being a Christian, the name Bethany had real meaning for me. Bethany was a small village known for many things in the Bible, such as being the place where Jesus stayed on his way to Jerusalem to get crucified, home of his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and even where he raised Lazarus from the dead. Although the scene of this small town of Bethany may seem insignificant, it is ultimately where Jesus left Earth and where he will return.”
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“I was looking at farms to buy and the perfect farm was located on Bethany Road. I feel this is not a coincidence—so of course I named it Bethany Farm!”
Alpacas at Bethany Farm
Part of Angie’s research included learning from the wider community of experienced alpaca owners. Two farms in particular were her “alpaca mentors”— Apple Mountain Alpacas in Clarksville, GA, and Alpaca Ranch at Cobb Creek Cabins in Murphy, NC. “They were both instrumental in helping me set up the farm and my herd was purchased from their stock of alpacas,” says Angie, “It’s a wonderful community of alpaca people and these folks in particular have been extremely helpful.”
There are currently eight alpacas at Bethany Farm, five girls and three males. “Each alpaca is unique,” says Angie. “The females are Maddie, Abby, Niqua, Star, Dulci, and the males are Dixson, Livewire and Bandit. The farm also includes angora goats and mini horses. The goats are sheared annually for their mohair fiber and the horses are being trained to pull carts.
“All the animals have uses and jobs!”
Alpaca Fun Facts
Alpacas are in camelids, from the camel family, and were originally imported to the USA from Peru. For most owners, raising alpacas is primarily a fiber business. They are very quiet, docile animals that generally make only a pleasant humming sound as a means of communication. They do occasionally spit, but only to each other—not people—when they are in distress, fearful, or want to show dominance.
They have a three-chambered stomach, like goats and sheep, and they chew their cud. Alpacas like treats such as apples and carrots, but the bulk of their diet is hay and grain.
Alpacas are social herd animals that live in family groups, and when one goes into the pasture the others will inevitably follow.
They are not pets, but Angie says, “Out of my herd, the little guy Dixson who was born here has a very sweet personality, so he is the closest to a pet.”
Angie says her alpacas are temperamentally pleasant and don’t bite or butt. “They only have lower teeth so they actually can’t bite people,” she says, “and they move pretty gracefully so they won’t run you—or small children—over.”
I just enjoy it all. I love my animals and the farm life, but I am also a big people person, so I like to share them. “
Baby alpacas are called “cria” and normally weigh between 15 and 19 pounds. They are usually standing and nursing within 90 minutes of birth.
Angie says alpacas are very smart animals and are fairly easy to train. “It is best to start training them when they are young so that they will accept a halter and learn to follow on a lead.”
Biggest misconception?
“They are not llamas! Alpacas are part of the camel family and are smaller than llamas. Llamas are primarily used for packing or for guarding herds of sheep or alpacas, whereas alpacas are primarily raised for their fleece.”
As part of the farm’s educational component, Angie created an “alpaca trail’ with informational signs. “I put up little signs on our alpaca trail, such as a baby is called a cria, alpacas are part of the camel family, and they are not llamas!”
Alpaca Fiber
Alpacas are typically sheared once or twice a year and each shearing produces approximately 5 to 10 pounds of fiber per alpaca. Alpaca wool is prized for its softness and resiliency. The fleece doesn’t contain lanolin (unlike sheep’s wool) and is considered easy to handle. Many hand spinners, knitters, weavers, and textile artists prefer the alpaca fleece, which has 16 official colors, many of which can be custom dyed in a variety of colors.
Bethany Farm shears their herd twice a year—spring and fall—and the fleece is sent out for processing.
“Nicole Taylor at Spirit Fiber Works processes the fleece, which is spun into functional fiber that I then use for crafts and products that are for sale seasonally at the farm,” says Angie.
Textile arts was something new for Angie after obtaining her alpaca herd. She says, “I never really created any crafts or artwork, but I caught on to the uses of alpaca fiber and found I really like creating fiber arts.”
Angie has currently has dryer balls, bird nesting balls, socks, needle and wet felting
Farm Happenings
New in 2021, Farm Tours are now held on the first Saturday of every month from 2:00 - 4:00pm. You can book tours online, by emailing or by calling.
Angie says, “We can also arrange Field Trips for groups outside of the Saturday tours, just give me a call or send an email and I will be happy to discuss it with you. I love field trips and do many for homeschooled kids. I have also hosted tours for autistic children, which have gone really well. I love my alpacas and I love seeing other people enjoy them!”
She will also be hosting “Fun with Felt”—fiber art classes using alpaca fiber with dates to be announced. Check the website for updates.
The first Fall Farm Fun Day was held in Oct 2020 and the second annual Fall Farm Fun Day is scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2021. Visitors can pet and feed the alpacas, horses, goats, and chickens. There will also be mini horse cart rides, hayrides, picture props and games. Food will be available on site and the farm store will be open.
“The first Farm Fun Day was really great,” says Angie, “and we will be even better this year. So bring the family and enjoy!”
A Dream Achieved.
After 20 years of planning, Angie is thoroughly enjoying her new life on the farm with her alpaca herd. When asked what she enjoys the most she answers, “It’s not a way to get rich quick! I just enjoy it all. I grew up in Forsyth, Georgia, not on a farm but my friends had farms, so I took a liking to farm life at a young age. I would rather be with animals anywhere; in fact, you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to live in a city. I consider myself to be a ‘boots on’ country girl! I love my animals and the farm life, but I am also a big people person, so I like to share them. It’s truly the best part of me.” n
(912) 429-6130 bethanyfaramalpacas.com /Alpacafarmdream bethanyfarmalpacas@gmail.com 711 Bethany Road Springfield, GA 31329
Brewer Land Surveying is a fullservice land surveying firm located in Pooler and licensed for operation in Georgia and South Carolina. Owner J. Craig Brewer is a licensed Land Surveyor with over 14 years of professional experience. Experience, attention to detail and customer service are the keys to the success of Brewer Land Surveying.
Although the company has grown over its 10 years in business, their focus remains on the individual customer. Craig says “We serve everyone, from the homeowner who needs a residential survey, to commercial developers and design professionals. We work with architects, engineers, attorneys, real estate professionals and mortgage companies. No job is too small for us.”
Their areas of focus include Commercial and Residential Land Surveys, Topographic and As-Built Base Map creation, ALTA-NSPS Land Title Surveys, as well as FEMA Flood Elevation Certificates, Boundary Surveys, Foundation Surveys, Subdivision Plats, GPS Control Points, Route Surveys, Wetland and Marsh Jurisdiction Line Mapping and Aerial Photography Control.
“Every survey is unique to the property and environmental factors surrounding the property,” says Craig, “and because we have the experience, we know what to look for and how to manage complex issues.”
FUN FACT- Three of the four U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore were land surveyors. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln surveyed colonial or frontier territories prior to serving office.
Craig and his team at Brewer Land Surveying are ready to work with you on your project, residential or commercial. “Please contact us to discuss your needs. There is no charge for estimates,” says Craig, “We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and provide you with the best service in the industry.”
J. CRAIG BREWER
Craig is licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor in the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Craig has over fifteen years of experience as a land surveyor. His areas of focus include Commercial and Residential Land Surveys, Topographic and As-Built Base Map creation, Construction and Industrial surveys, and ALTA-ACSM Land Title Surveys. Craig has also written product reviews for Professional Surveyor Magazine.
Brewer Land Surveying
604 US Highway 80 W, Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 856-2205 info@brewersurvey.com
J. Craig Brewer, Licensed Professional Land Surveyor
BREWER LAND SURVEYING
Brewer Land Surveying is a full-service, fully-automated land surveying and mapping firm licensed in Georgia and South Carolina. Residential and Commercial.
Some of the services we offer are: • FEMA Flood Elevation • ALTA/ACSM Land Title
Certificates Surveys • Boundary Surveys • Subdivision Plats • Topographical Surveys • GPS Control Points • Foundation Surveys • Mapping GIS infrastructure • As-built Surveys • Aerial Photography • Route Surveys Control Targeting
Estimates are free, so call us today. We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and provide you with the best service in the industry— high quality surveying and mapping services in a timely manner at a reasonable cost.
DIY IDEAS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE
Photo courtesy of Honey Built Home
Weekend warriors are dedicating themselves to creating more organized living spaces and making their homes better places for learning, working and living.
Now as much as ever, your home may be a sanctuary for all kinds of expression, from thinking and dreaming to working and playing. Over the past year, homeowners began to consider the intersection of function and design in new ways.
If you’re considering upgrades to your home, consider these DIY ideas from the experts at Royal Building Products that can increase beauty and resale value.
Home Office
Spending more time at home may mean storage space is at a premium, especially if you’re relying on a makeshift home office. You can add a high-impact and functional element to your office with a built-in bookcase or workstation.
Consider your materials carefully since they have a big impact on your final results. For example, a versatile alternative to wood is synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim, which you don’t need to sand or prime before painting, ultimately saving time, energy and money. While PVC is slightly more expensive than some wood options, it also requires less maintenance long-term.
Bathroom
By updating worn-out items, modernizing fixtures and creating a more functional space, you can expect to recoup up to 50% of a bathroom’s remodel cost, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
If you’re considering an on-trend look like shiplap, a practical solution like Royal prefinished PVC Shiplap can help create a clean, comfortable space. It’s waterproof, mold resistant, flexible and works well in spaces with many slants and angles. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to install.
Entryway
A home’s foyer offers the first impression of its interior, teasing the personality of architecture and decor found with each step deeper inside.
Whether bold and dramatic, tranquil and serene, or something in-between, the entryway often sets the tone for a home’s ambience. Details like decorative molding and lattice trim can create a striking entryway for almost any home style.
Exterior
Whether you’re sprucing up an outdoor living space or simply want to boost curb appeal, subtle enhancements can make a big impact. For example, board and batten shutters offer an attractive, low-fuss way to highlight your home’s windows. Painting the front door is another low-cost way to freshen up your exterior. Or invite a touch of nature by adding flower boxes to your front porch or windows.
