JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Did you know we had an alpaca farm right here in Jacksonville?
Shady Rest Alpacas, located on Jacksonville’s Northside, is run by Trina Hope and her husband.
“I’m an empty nester, I have four grandkids, and this is their farm,” Hope said.
The farm provides private tours, proposals, parties and more. They also host “Yoga and Mimosa” events where you can bring a mat and stretch out with alpacas. Mimosas are provided after the class and tour. All proceeds from the event go to the farm for veterinary services.
Being around these alpacas always fills you with a genuine sense of happiness. I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Each one has a specific personality, and Trina knows them like the back of her hand!
Everybody knows alpacas are adorable, but they also serve many purposes.
“One thing they give us a lot of is poop, and we use that for fertilizer at the gardens,” Hope said. “They also give us a lot of fiber, which is just their hair. Because we’re in Florida and it’s so hot, we shear twice a year.”
The shearing process is twice a year. One session is in April.
“We make all kinds of yarn with it. We also needlefelt with it, and we make dryer balls too. Alpacas are hypoallergenic so you can do so many things with their fiber.”
If you call the farm to take a tour, you will get the opportunity to visit the Shady Rest Alpacas gift shop. That’s where you will find unique and locally produced products.
The best part? The farm is extremely therapeutic. If you need to relax and take your mind off something, this is the place to go.
When you spend time with these precious alpacas, you feel a peace on this farm, that you just can’t find many places!
That’s why we have highlighted the Shady Rest Alpacas in Jacksonville as a First Coast Gem.