Shady Rest Alpacas is a fun, educational and sustainable farm in Jacksonville. The owner, Trina Hope, is an animal lover and has a heart for all animals. She said alpacas were never on her radar until she took a trip to Martha’s Vineyard with her husband and visited an alpaca farm called Island Alpacas. She said that she fell in love with them immediately and knew that she had to bring some to her farm. She studied them for two years and learned how to care for them before bringing them home in 2021 and starting Shady Rest Alpacas.
The farm, which is home to eight male alpacas, hosts private tours, mini tours and semi-private tours. Hope said that the tours are typically small groups, so that everyone can get something out of it. Each guest gets the chance to feed and pet the alpacas. The farm also hosts many fun events including birthday parties, Valentine’s events, Christmas parties and field trips.
Hope loves educating farm visitors about alpacas and sustainable farming. Alpacas are members of the Camelid family and there are two types of alpacas called huacaya and suri. All of the alpacas at the farm are huacaya and the main difference is how soft and fluffy their fiber (hair) is. The alpacas are shorn twice a year to help keep them cool in the hot Florida weather. The farm saves their fiber to make yarn, dryer balls, felted soaps and ornaments. Their fiber is seriously soft! Hope also said that alpaca droppings make great fertilizer and that no compost is necessary. The fertilizer can be used directly on the garden. She said that her cousin used alpaca droppings in his garden and found that the plants did considerably better than with other fertilizer.
The farm often hosts homeschool groups, and kids get to learn about farming, hands-on. Hope also said her four grandkids love helping out with the alpacas, and they each have their own. One grandchild named her alpaca Popcorn Caramel, and another grandchild named his Bullseye Gatorade, Hope said, laughing.
Like people, alpacas have their own unique personalities. One alpaca named Artie is especially sweet and loves to give kisses.
“Artie is my bestie,” Hope said.
Ed thinks he owns the farm, and Sterling loves being dressed up. The herd also includes Bojangles (the oldest), Teddy (the biggest), Willie Nelson (who has a mullet), and of course, Popcorn Caramel and Bullseye Gatorade.
Hope said that she rescues animals in need and wants to help them. Several alpacas on the farm have disabilities or are recovering from former injuries. Bullseye Gatorade is deaf, and Popcorn Caramel is missing an eye. Two of the alpacas, Sterling and Willie Nelson, were rescues and were not doing well when Hope took them home. Sterling had physical injuries from a panther attack, and Willie Nelson had a lot of anxiety because of it. Thanks to a lot of love and care, both alpacas are doing well in their new home. Hope doesn’t shy away from animals that face challenges and embraces their unique personalities and the joy they bring. It is clear that each alpaca is loved, cared for and brings something unique to the farm.
“It’s my passion; I love animals,” Hope said about what she does at Shady Rest Alpacas.
To learn more about the farm, book tours and stay up to date on upcoming events, go to shadyrestalpacas.com and follow Shady Rest Alpacas on Facebook and @shadyrestalpacas on Instagram.
