High Desert Farmstead

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Kuna, ID
High Desert Farmstead

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Alpaca breeding farm with llamas in Kuna, Idaho. Quality fiber, alpacas available with mentoring, mill-processed yarn & alpaca apparel.

Calm, Camelidynamics-inspired handling. Western herbalism, dahlias, educational classes & farm visits by appointment.

10/22/2026

It’s true!

If you peek inside an alpaca’s mouth, you’ll discover something pretty interesting. Instead of upper front teeth, they have a firm, tough dental pad.

Their lower front teeth press against that pad to grab and clip grass as they graze.

Alpacas do have upper and lower teeth farther back in their mouths for chewing their food.

And some males develop sharp fighting teeth that may need to be trimmed for everyone’s safety.

10/21/2026

Why are alpacas so cute?

We get asked some great questions, but this one is a favorite!

Those big, expressive eyes, long eyelashes, fluffy faces, and curious personalities certainly help, but did you know there’s actually a little science behind why we find them so adorable? Their large eyes, rounded faces, and soft features resemble characteristics we instinctively associate with babies. Scientists call this the baby schema.

And then there’s their personality! Alpacas are naturally curious, each with their own little quirks that make them even more endearing.

10/20/2026

Have you ever wondered what alpacas and llamas are communicating with their humming noises? They can say so many things with their simple sounds. Paying attention to their body language will often show the meaning. They hum to check in with the herd, “Hey, is everyone doing ok today?” They may hum to call to their cria who has ventured away farther than mama is comfortable with. Cria call to mom to find out where she is and to tell her they want to nurse. Camelids hum when they are feeling content, curious, or anxious. Ours even let us know emphatically when the trough needs to be filled. Taking time to quietly sit and observe these animals will teach you how to interpret their special language.

10/16/2026

This face! I bet it made you slow down and smile.

10/13/2026

Did you know alpacas aren’t native to North America?

Alpacas come from the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily Peru and Bolivia, Ecuador, and and Northern Chile where they have been raised for thousands of years. They were domesticated from the wild Vicuña 6,000-7,000 years ago for fiber production and meat. Their fiber was used to make clothing and textiles.

They have a very interesting history! At one time they were protected by Incan royalty and their population boomed, but later severely declined due to the Spanish conquest.

Importation to the USA began in the 1980’s, and with formal importation ending in 1999. There are likely less than 200,000 alpacas currently in the US while there are over 5 million sheep making alpaca fiber an uncommon luxury.

Although alpacas have been part of South American agriculture for thousands of years, they’ve only been part of American farming for about 40 years!

10/09/2026

Tomatoes! Our family at Styx and Stones Farmstead has an abundance of gorgeous meaty Amish Paste tomatoes. $30 per crate or $40 for two crates. 20+ pounds per crate. Let me know if you would like some!

10/07/2026

It’s Alpactober, the month of alpaca education! Ask me your questions, please!

What have you always wondered about them? Do they all spit? Why do they hum? How do we tell them apart? What do we do with their fleece? How long is their pregnancy? What are their needs? Ask anything!

Living with them every day, I sometimes forget how many questions I had when we first started.

Drop your questions in the comments—nothing is too basic! Your questions will help me out. I’ll answer them and use some for posts throughout the month.

09/30/2026

We are opening up two times next week for homeschool/family visits. The plan for these two sessions fits best for elementary age, but enjoyable for all. Please feel free to reach out, if you would like to come on a different day, and we will see if we can accommodate your request.

https://www.highdesertfarmstead.com/collections/classes-and-workshops

09/28/2026

I love Sundays when the family comes over, and the grandchildren make barn chores into play.

Address

Kuna, ID

Telephone

+12087248563

Website

https://www.openherd.com/farm/12716/high-desert-farmstead, http://www.highdesertfarmstead.com/

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