About us

About Hollywick Farms

Hollywick Farms was founded in 2007 by Kathy and Bill Herman after a year of research into the growing alpaca industry in the United States. Kathy had been introduced to alpacas through several customers of her wholesale and retail dog and cat food business in Albuquerque. They initially purchased 5 alpacas from 2 local New Mexico alpaca farms, one in Santa Fe and one in Albuquerque. Through carefully selected breedings and some additional purchases, the herd now stands at 24 Huacaya alpacas.

The original idea was to establish an alpaca farm after retirement. Like many good ideas, it couldn’t wait and so Hollywick Farms came to be when they were both still working full time. Bill was a software industry executive and Kathy, who is trained as an artist, was managing her dog food business.

A decade ago, the business model for the alpaca business closely resembled that of the Arabian horse industry: breed, raise, show and sell. This model, while proven and also approved by their accountant, was not a perfect fit. The shows (which are not local) demand a lot of travel and for people holding down full-time jobs, it required more of a time investment than they could afford.

Fortunately, there was another movement gaining momentum in the U.S. alpaca world: one focused on the luxurious products made from alpaca fleece, a model that had been proven on a grand scale in Peru and other countries in the Andean region of South America. This evolution in their business was made easier because Kathy’s skills as an artist were readily engaged. She can dye (custom or natural colors), weave, knit, crochet and felt the sheared fleece into a variety of products, all of which are for sale at Hollywick Farms in their farm store, along with a selection of imported alpaca garments and accessories.

Hollywick Farms is located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway at nearly 7,000 ft above sea level.

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