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Alpaca Rancher

Alpacas: AdoraBella Alpacas, Grants Pass, OR
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Do you want to become an Alpaca Rancher?

Do you feel more centered when you are away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Would you trade in that corner office for fresh air and open space in a second? Have you always been drawn to the quality of life one can obtain from getting back to nature and interacting with animals? Then it’s time to test drive your dream job as an Alpaca Rancher with Paula and Larry Vellozzi at AdoraBella Alpaca Ranch in Southern Oregon's beautiful Rogue Valley. The grass is sure to look a little greener!

Since 1992, Paula and Larry have been living their dream of breeding and selling alpacas. Originally both city folk, Paula and Larry were living and working in the Los Angeles area when they began to question their involvement in the family's glass manufacturing and design business and the "rat race" in which they were raising their children. In 1988, a vacation took them up to Bend, Oregon where they encountered their first llamas at a country fair. After inquiring with some breeders at the scene, their interest was peaked and the research began. A few short years later, they had fallen in love with the Jerome Prairie Valley of Oregon and they decided to buy a former 1906 dairy farm - and their first two llamas.

Since then, Paula and Larry have successfully created the perfect life for themselves - balancing a peaceful and meaningful existence with a profitable business. They still have those original two llamas as well as 26 alpacas which they breed, show, and sell from their 14-acre renovated ranch. The Vellozzi's belong to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association which is a national organization. They continue to educate themselves by attending seminars, reading literature, and taking classes on topics such as soils, grasses, nutrition, hay analysis, marketing, etc. They welcome visitors and are thrilled to inform others about the many advantages of an alpaca lifestyle.

Once the Vellozzi's decided that they wanted to breed and sell alpacas, they never second-guessed their new career path. They can't really say that all of their friends and family shared their enthusiasm, however. They had their naysayers. But Paula and Larry considered it an adventure and jumped right in with the attitude that whatever happened...well, happened. "Ignorance is bliss, I guess", Paula laughs, "In hindsight, I think maybe we should have been a little bit more nervous about what was going to happen!"

If you ask Paula what her favorite part about running an alpaca ranch is, she'll say "everything" with no hesitation at all. "I don't even mind picking up after them!", she claims. Although each facet of running an alpaca ranch brings new and exciting challenges for the Vellozzi's, it's the simple and genuine interaction with these gentle creatures that really makes them feel the luckiest. It is during those quiet parts of the day when everyone is just waking up or settling in for the evening that they find themselves most inspired by the alpacas. "I look forward to feeding them in the morning. They are so friendly and they just want to give you kisses.", Paula notes, "And at dusk the little babies are running all about the field playing around and neck wrestling. It's such a joy to observe."

Paula's advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in alpaca ranching is to "do your homework"! She warns that one of the most important things to consider, something that could likely get overlooked, is making sure there is a good veterinarian nearby. Not just any kind of vet or one that specializes in horses and large animals, but ideally one that specifically has experience with alpacas. The other major challenge that alpaca ranchers encounter is finding good ranch sitters. "When you go away, whether it's on a vacation or you are traveling for a show, you need someone who’s not only competent, but knowledgeable, to watch your ranch and care for your animals", she can attest.

While there are many other ranching and farming opportunities out there, Paula and Larry specifically found the lifestyle they were after amongst these specific creatures. Why alpacas? "The animals are so gentle. Very peaceful to work with. They are not hard on the landscape. They don't eat much. They are relaxing, curious, and very sweet. A pure joy to be around", Paula reflects.

Vocationer activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Full discussion of ALL business phases of the alpaca industry and farm operations
  • Feed the alpacas in the AM
  • Clean pasture fields for 30 alpacas and 2 llamas
  • Observe alpacas with morning coffee, looking for behaviors that might indicate illness, injury or appetite loss
  • Help with worming, or any other medication injections needed while on VocationVacation
  • Mow high grass around poop piles
  • Depending on the time of year and needs of the farm:
    • Baby watch and birthing
    • Breedings
    • Weighing alpacas
    • Trimming toenails and teeth
    • Helping with the shearing process
    • Cleaning, sorting and evaluating shorn fleece
    • Halter breaking young alpacas
    • General farm chores, chopping firewood, stacking hay, field mowing
The Alpaca Rancher VocationVacations® career mentorship includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as an Alpaca Rancher.
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: Based on mentor's availability

Price: $849 Per Person

Book This Career Mentorship



Suggested Accommodations

Holiday Inn Express

The Lodge at Riverside
(Not included in the price of the VocationVacations® holiday)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:
 Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:
Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.