Meet the Owners, Alice & Kevin
Alice's fascination with animals has spanned her lifetime, and has accumulated over 15 years experience working with a diverse range of animals via both voluntary work and employed roles. Alice studied Animal Management at Hartpury College; a leading UK specialist education provider in animal, agriculture & equine before moving to The Small Breeds Farm Park so she could be the on site care provider for the animals. After a short time, she became the Owl Centre Manager, caring for over 150 owls across 32 different species & rearing up to 60 owlets each year.
Along the way, she met Kevin and in 2018 they made the decision to move in together at the 90 acre family hill farm, Fostings Farm (hence the name!). As a 6th Gen farmer, Kevin grew up on the farm and worked alongside his Dad and brother as soon as he could walk! But understanding that the farm was not financially viable or sustainable long term (a sad reality for many farms nowadays), Alice & Kevin set about a plan for diversification and landed upon keeping alpacas alongside providing holiday accommodation...
Fostings Farm
Fostings Farm is a 90-acre, family-run, working sheep farm. Sat atop the Radnor Valley in the tiny village Kinnerton, Presteigne in Mid Wales. Elevated at an average of 1,300ft above sea level, it offers incredible views of the valley below and the surrounding Black Mountains, Hergest Ridge, Clee Hill and the Brecon Beacons.
Diversifying at the farm
Attending an alpaca husbandry course solidified their decision to establish their very own alpaca herd and in summer of 2018, Alice and Kevin acquired their first group of 4 alpacas and opened their adult only retreat; Hush Hush Glamping the following summer.
To fund these venture start ups, Alice qualified as a Project Manager and worked as an Online Business Manager, managing back end tech processes for 6&7 figure coaching clients, whilst Kevin (when not helping on the family farm) continued to run his agricultural contracting business, Trebanog Contracting, offering hedge cropping & fodderbeet drilling services. Alice now dedicates her time fully to running the glamping business and managing their alpaca herd which provides a lifeline for the longevity of the farm.
Learn How To Look After Alpacas
If you wish to embark on the rewarding journey of alpaca keeping, whether as newcomers to the field or prospective owners, and you desire to possess the confidence and knowledge to maintain their optimal health, your search concludes here! Choose from the learning opportunities below, which have been crafted to provide you with a wealth of alpaca husbandry knowledge and understanding. This foundation will ensure a successful and fulfilling alpaca venture.