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The Gentleman Farmer

This article is another of the delightful pieces to be found in Wild Fibers Magazine. The article begins with the following paragraph:

"In the ever-growing lexicon of oxymorons, including such timeless favorites as military intelligence and happy marriage, one glaring omission from the list is gentleman farmer. That curious blend of refined comportment, coupled with sweaty overalls and calloused hands, seems as incongruous as a gold-plated manure spreader parked next to an antique Bugatti. And if I am wrong in this assertion, then perhaps my understanding of either "gentleman" or "farmer" is somehow lacking."

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The Joy of Alpacas
Alpacas live closer to heaven than any other living creature. At midnight in the Andean Altiplano; you can see forever as the shimmering alpacas leap from the icy mountain tops to the diamond set sky of the Sierra. They will reappear at dawn. Alpacas are magical.
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Quechua Benefit- An Expanding Mission in the Andes
Quechua Benefit began in 1996 with a modest trip from Portland, Oregon to Macusani, Peru. There were five team members; Dr. Mario Pedroza, his wife Barrie, Russ Gratton, Mike Safley and Barb Lopez, a dental assistant in Marios office. Don Julio Barreda organized the trip and arranged for the team to see patients from six local grade schools. The clinic was operated from the front room of Franklin Tejadas home in downtown Macusani. That first year the team saw 300 patients, delivered clothes for 500 children and school supplies for six schools..
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Quechua Benefit- The Mission in the Andes
The highlands of Peru are home to the vast majority of all the alpacas in the world. The Quechua Indians, who domesticated the vicuna more than five thousand years ago, are the source of the alpaca which now reside in the outside world. Their world of high plains and harsh environment resists the probability of profit, providing the Quechua only a subsistence level existence. A pair of shoes, an extracted tooth, or a warm blanket is out of reach for many of these people that time has forgotten. Comfort is a luxury experienced by only a few.
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The Worlds Finest Alpaca Breeder
Don Julio Barredas mother, Dona Victona Aragon Barreda, bred Alpacas prior to bringing Julio into the world. Julio felt the pulse of the alpaca as a young boy. He learned the art of breeding camelids and harvesting their fiber beginning at 13 years of age.
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In Search of the Worlds Finest Alpacas
The phone rang. It was 6:30 a.m. on my birthday, March 16, 1995. I was half asleep when Phil Mizrahie, of The Pet Center, asked me if I would like to fly to Peru and participate in the selection of 600 Alpacas. A moment later I was wide awake and said, Yes! When do I leave? Next Wednesday, he said. So began an alpaca adventure I will never forget.
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Chacu: Peru Reinstates Incan Rules of Vicuna Conservation to Save an Endangered Species
The wild Vicuna stood rigid and still a mere three feet away. Her round ebony eyes mirrored the image of man -- her mortal enemy for more than ten thousand years. She seemed to be simultaneously contemplating escape and submission. The cria stood boldly at her side, while the Chacu swirled on around them.
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A New Dawn in the Ancient Andes(1997)
Over the years, Julie and I have done business with Michell Co., S.A. purchasing everything from alpaca tops to top coats. We visited the Michell sorting sheds and spinning plant on our first trip to Peru in 1991. More recently I was invited to visit "Los Sauces," or Mulkini, the Michell hacienda near Juliaco in the district of Puno, Peru where I had the pleasure of getting to know Derek Michell, the grandson of Frank Michell, the company's founder, Derek manages the Arequipa office of the company and his uncle, Michael Michell, manages the company's headquarters in Lima.
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A Conversation with Don Julio Barreda
Arequipas El Tourista Hotel evokes a colonial image created by pink stucco walls, framed by high arches, open to broad verandas which give way to green lawns and giant, gnarled shade trees. The hotel, one of few still owned by the Peruvian Government, is set in Arequipas finest residential neighborhood. During my recent visit to Peru, Don Julio agreed to meet me for lunch at El Tourista. Much to our surprise, just as the waiter delivered cold lemonade and beer to our table on the veranda, Dr. Walter Bravo appeared from an arriving taxi.
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Alpacas, Sun and Surf
Imagine Maui or your favorite white sand beach. Add some wallabies, a few kangaroos, and a koala bear, and a skyfull of cockatoos and parrots, and youve beamed yourself down under to the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast. Feel the Warmth, read the brochure, and warm it was, with typical Aussie (say Auzzie) hospitality and charm. The 1996 International Alpaca Industry Seminar was held July 5, 6, and 7 at Sea world in Queensland, Australia, by the Australian Alpaca Association, Inc. (AAA).
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Alpacas Down Under
This is an old fashioned on the road story. Bruce Barr and I spent five days traveling the back roads and highways surrounding the city of Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne can easily lay claim to being the alpaca capital of Australia. There are a great many alpaca studs or ranches as we call them, within one or two hours drive of Melbourne.
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