Alpaca farms: from fiber to fashion.

HELENA — National Alpaca Farm Days will be held this weekend, September 28 and 29.

Sapphire Alpaca Farm in Helena raises awareness of creatures that have provided food for humans for thousands of years.

Doug Fejes, one of the farm owners, says, “They show the connection between the past, present and future.”

Since 2017, the farm has focused on the impact of South American animals on sustainable agriculture.

The farm’s other owner, Dana Fejes, says, “Alpacas are raised primarily for their fiber, so in addition to having a great animal to watch in your yard and enjoy their company, they also produce fiber for you.”

Madelyn Heath, MTN News

Alpaca fiber is a renewable resource and is biodegradable.

Sapphire breeds Suri alpacas, known for their silky fiber. The duo is sending the fiber for testing in New Zealand to obtain data on which alpaca fiber reproduces best.

The key thing to look out for is luster or shine… a feature that is dominant in the sapphire stock.

“There are times in the afternoon when the sun comes up and it looks like a herd of glowing deer,” says Doug.

Alpaca fiber is versatile and has many attractive properties such as durability, warmth, antimicrobial and antimicrobial properties.

Madelyn Heath, MTN News

Sapphire’s goal is to make nice, local products that are also functional for Montanans…scarves.

The duo chose scarves because “you’re not limited by size, so if you have a neck, you can enjoy wearing a scarf,” says Doug.

Sapphire connects the past with the future through the use of ancient material and modern technology. The farm purchased a European knitting machine and can now locally produce twenty-five detailed scarves a day.

Although alpacas have only been farmed in the United States since the late 1980s, they have a complex story to tell.

Dana says, “There are so many things in the world of alpacas that you can learn, visit, and just enjoy and have fun with.”

Items available for purchase at the farm honor Montana’s flora and fauna and can be purchased throughout Helena and the entire state, including Yellowstone National Park.