Herd management Saturdays are held towards the end of each month, and we try to cover a topic of interest to those in attendance.  These days are designed to help Blue Moon Ranch customers learn how to effectively care for their own alpacas.  Occasionally, we will have space for other interested people as well.  There is no charge for these classes for Blue Moon Ranch customers. Special classes and clinics taught by other people are offered throughout the year and those fees are explained below.   click here to see what past years schedule looked like.

Please drop us an email  if you'd like to join us on these days. thanks!   Our schedule is subject to change, but should be accurate during the month listed .

Classes start at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted. We are usually finished by noon.

I appreciate an email on the Thursday or Friday before each class confirming your attendance.  If I need to make handouts, it's nice to know who is coming. :) thanks!

2010 Classes and Events

January 30  Basic handling review and working with the babies. If weather permits we'll be walking them around the "race track"

February 13  "Alpacas and More"  Class  10 - 4    Reservations required

March  26   TBA

April 30   Photographing alpacas.    New class, bring your camera and we'll provide the animals. There are some tricks we will share with you.

May 21   Birthing class. We have been through hundreds of normal birth, and a few unusual ones too. We will adapt this class to the needs of the participants.

Shearing day?  TBA

June  25   Working with fleeces.  Show or processing? How to decide and how to proceed once you do.

September 25-26, 2010   Sixth Annual Open Barn Days!  

Please email us for details on any of these events.

2009 Classes and Events

January 31   Baby it's cold out there. So let's talk about winter care for alpacas.  Slipping on ice?  How to get warm water to the barn?  Are they shivering ? what to do???  Bring your questions and we'll talk.  Most of the class will be inside by a fire!  :)  Of course we will be outside too, so come prepared to be out in the barn for a visit with the alpacas.

February 28   Do you know how to take a temperature?  Give a shot in an emergency?  Things often go wrong when you cant seem to get a vet.  Lets talk about how to handle emergencies and what to do when you can't find a vet.

March 28   DATE Changed - to April 2  Halter work with the weanlings and evaluation of the 2008 crias.   When is best to start halter work?  How do I know if my male cria is stud quality?  This will be an interactive class, mostly in the barn - dress appropriately for the weather

April 25   tentative weaving class with Rita Miller. This class was totally full last year and some of you missed the opportunity~  Don't delay - make your reservation today!  $20 per student covers supplies. .

May 30   Since we will be starting  cria birthing season, let's talk about birthing, how to know when the dam needs help and basic care of the newborn.  I totally recommend a neonatal class (taught by a vet) for the 10% of the time that you need to know how to solve a crisis, but today we'll talk about the 90% that you will most likely see and how to deal with that.  Also a brief discussion on naming your crias.  Not as simple as you might think!

June 6     Shearing day at Blue Moon Ranch!

June 27   Shearing day will be over by now, so lets talk about what to do with those fleeces!  Want to show it?  In that case, skirting is different than if you want to send it to a processor.  Bring a fleece - and let me know in advance how we can best make this class of benefit to you.

July 25   Question and Answer day.  Often our classes end with some really good questions and discussions, so lets start that way for a change. You bring the questions and hopefully we'll have lots of answers.

Aug 29    Farm set up.  Fencing - catch pens, designing a barn and pasture areas.  How to get the most use of your facility.  We made a few  mistakes early on - I'll tell you about that so you won't have to!  Please email to confirm your attendance - I will have handouts.

Sept 26 - 27    Fifth Annual Fall Open Barn Days!   For more information click here

October  24    Alpaca business class. What you need to have to run a successful alpaca business.  What kind of advertising works?  If you love alpacas but are not sure about the business side - come to this class! It will be fun. For a break we will visit with the alpacas of course.

November 28   Let's get our hands on some of the 2009 babies!  We can get the DNA tests done too. Bring a DNA card form ARI if you have a cria here and  we'll fit halters on some of the older babies.

December 26   Holiday open house.  Come help us finish off the Christmas cookies!  Visit the alpacas - we'll have carrots for them to enjoy and hot chocolate for us.  rsvp please

Please let me know if there is a topic you would like to have covered!