CREATING CHAMPION FIBER IN YOUR HERD
with Ian Watt

1st Choice Alpacas is pleased to present Ian Watt, a renowned alpaca fiber expert from Alpaca Consulting Services, USA. Ian will be at 1st Choice Alpacas to offer his 2-day very informative alpaca seminar to help you build upon your alpaca breeding success.

Topics: Understanding and Growing Alpaca Fiber, Breeding Superior Alpaca Fleeces

The first portion of the program covers such things as pastures, nutrition, farm layout, and general management issues together with an understanding of how fibers are developed in utero, how they are constructed, and how to identify better fleeces.

The second program is about objective measurement and how to make it mean something: selecting stock, identifying superior fleeces, breeding plans, managing genetics and networking - a full on advanced series of topics.

"It's a full program with tons of useful information!" - Kathleen M., Seattle, WA

"Ian is very knowledgable and provides a great deal of insight" - Theodore S., Seatac, WA

"Ian's program has definitely changed my breeding program for the better!" - Carol B., Ont., Canada

This program takes place over two full days of discussion with some time spent on handling fleeces either supplied by the 1st Choice Alpacas or brought along by the attendees. We'd encourage you to bring your fleeces. It's more fun that way!

Dates will be Sat & Sun, September 22 & 23rd, 2007 9am - 5pm.

Hotels: Please see our Visit page for a list of local places to stay.

Food: We will be providing breakfast muffins and treats. Lunch will be provided as well. Tea, coffee, water and other drinks available all day.

Dinner: Some of us are planning to go out for (no-host) dinner at local restaurants on Friday and Saturday evenings. Let us know if you would like to join us.

Cost: $245 per person for the seminar for both days. A limited number of slots are available so please register early. See our Events page for payment details or call the farm at 360-666-3336.
By “popular demand” we are offering a 50% discount on a 2nd person from the same farm (which is $367.50 for two).

OFDA 2000 SUPPLEMENTARY FIBER REPORT

Included in your registration fee for this seminar are 3 OFDA 2000 fiber tests per full paying person. You may send your samples to us at the address below for forwarding to Ian Watt's Alpaca Fiber Testing USA company. If the samples are received in time, Ian will email results to you before the seminar or bring the results to the seminar for you.

See Sample Information Sheet for details on submitting fiber samples. For free processing, please mail your samples directly to 1st Choice Alpacas at the address below.

Please email or call with any questions regarding this seminar. Seating is limited.

You can pay by check or Online with PayPal
(use your credit card with PayPal even without a PayPal account) **:

** Please call to order if you would like the 50% discount on a 2nd person from the same farm (which is $367.50 for two).

Or send a check to:

1st Choice Alpacas
PO BOX 2163
Battle Ground, WA 98604

If paying with PayPal, your receipt is your event ticket. Check payments will receive a ticket in the mail or at the registration table for late purchases.

Please join the list to receive the 1st Choice Alpacas Newsletter to stay informed of this and other events at 1st Choice Alpacas.

Event Date: Saturday, Feb 9th, 2008

Tea-n-Pickins with Frieda Schieber Enjoy a Fun and Informative 1-Day Seminar Limited to 8 participants Does the idea of skirting your best fleece for competition seem a bit daunting? Not sure where to begin? Frieda Schieber will conduct another one day "Tea-n-Pickins" hands-on seminar at 1st Choice Alpacas to help you learn the techniques of skirting an alpaca show fleece. The workshop starts at 9 a.m. with morning tea and treats. Participants will be encouraged to chat about their experience and needs. Frieda will briefly outline key points for the day such as: Why it is important to skirt well for show How to think about skirting Mistakes beginners often make What the judge is looking for Flaws in fleece and how to remove them An efficient and effective skirting approach Trade-offs in maximizing that score card (Suri/Huacaya) Frieda's qualifications include years of experience skirting her own fleeces for competition awards, operating a professional show skirting service, assisting multiple judges and attending numerous eductional seminars herself. Frieda is the fleece show superintendent for the upcoming CABA Classic Show in May 2008. After the morning tea chat you will start by looking at sample fleeces and will then quickly begin skirting. Frieda and your questions will guide the activity as you work two to a fleece at one of 4 skirting stations. The goals of the seminar are to enjoy yourself and socialize while learning the ideas and techniques necessary to submit the most competitive fleece to competition. " I definitely feel better about entering a fleece in a show now!" "I had a great time. Frieda was a fun and informative guide."

Date: Sat, Feb 9th, 2008 9:00am - 5:00pm.
1/24/08 - A few spots are still available. Please call or email to reserve your spot in the class.

Food: Morning and afternoon tea and treats will be provided.
We plan to go out for lunch at a local nice Battle Ground, WA restaurant (Irby's).
Tea, coffee, water and other drinks available all day.

Cost: $70 per person for the seminar.
$110 ($30 off) for two people from the same household.

A limited number of slots are available so please register early. 360-666-3336.
Please email or call with any questions regarding this seminar.

You can pay by check or call the farm (360-666-3336) with a credit card.

Send checks to:
1st Choice Alpacas
PO BOX 2163
Battle Ground, WA 98604

Limited to 8 participants. Please pay in advance to reserve your spot.

See Directions

See you here!

Event Date: Feb 24th, 2008

Success Strategies From the Inside Out
with Ellie Winslow

What do you think is the hardest part of having a rural business?

If you say marketing you are not alone. Marketing discourages and frustrates many rural entrepreneurs.

1st Choice Alpacas is pleased to offer a one day seminar from Ellie Winslow, speaker and author of Beyond the Sidewalk. Ellie's workshops will captivate you and change the way you view marketing. At the workshop, Ellie will help you with the skills to move from concept to execution in an entertaining and helpful environment.

This workshop focuses on basics -- the personal attitudes that lead to success. We'll explore the how-to of putting the customer first and so much more. Learn where to find customers and how to focus on growing your rural business.

Ellie shows the farmer how to adapt the concepts and tools used by urban businesses to rural enterprises. “It doesn’t matter whether you are selling livestock, produce or crafts,” says Winslow. “You can improve your rural business by applying tried and true business and marketing strategies.”

Topics: Effective Rural Marketing, Strategies of Successful Entrepreneurs, Service to Customers, Getting Comfortable with Selling and more...

Ellie has published several books on business management for rural businesses. Her most recent book, "Marketing Farm Products: and how to thrive beyond the sidewalk," is a mini education in business and marketing with strategies geared to the rural entrepreneur.

Date: Sun, Feb 24th, 2008 9:30am - 4pm.

Hotels: Please see our Visit page for a list of local places to stay.

Food: We will be providing breakfast muffins and treats. Lunch will be provided. Tea, coffee, water and other drinks available all day.

Cost: $120 per person for the seminar. A limited number of slots are available so please register early. 360-666-3336.

Get a 50% discount on a 2nd person from the same farm (which is $180 for two).

Please email or call with any questions regarding this seminar. Seating is limited.

You can pay by check, Online with PayPal (below) or call the farm (360-666-3336) with a credit card.

** Please call 360-666-3336 to order if you would like the 50% discount on a 2nd person from the same farm (which is $180 for two).

Or send a check to:

1st Choice Alpacas
PO BOX 2163
Battle Ground, WA 98604

If paying with PayPal, your receipt is your confirmation. Check payments will receive confirmation by email or phone.

Please join the list to receive the 1st Choice Alpacas Newsletter to stay informed of this and other events at 1st Choice Alpacas.

ALPACA CARE CLINICS - Join us monthly for alpaca care clinics open to adults intested in the alpaca lifestyle.

Usually held on the last Saturday of the month but varies during the show season.
Our newsletter tells of each scheduled event, or contact us to learn of the next scheduled event.

The nominal fee for this event is $5 per person. No young children please.

• Understanding Alpaca Temperament - fear, food and trust
• Proper Feed
• How to Feed
• Toe Trimming
• Weighing
• Fiber Care
• Health Issues
• Body Scoring
• Haltering
• Proper Approach and Movement
• Advanced Care
• ..your special questions