AlpacaGram 9.21 | Call all mentors!

Calling all Mentors!

Alpaca Owners Association has established a youth committee to tailor a youth program focused on long-term investment in the alpaca industry. In order to do this, we need mentors who are willing to introduce and educate youth on the value and fun of working with and owning alpacas.

Youth who would like to learn about alpacas, but are not ready to own one, are matched up with a mentor to learn how to care for that animal, how to raise it and, potentially, how to show it.

Who Are the Mentors?

Mentors are volunteers who want to share their knowledge, skills, and animals with a young person. A mentor can be anyone who has experience with alpacas and a heart for youth.

Mentorship can take on various forms. For example, you might offer clinics to 4-H or FFA groups or you may allow a youth to “adopt” an alpaca and help with its care. You might set up a system where a young person volunteers on your farm so many hours per week in exchange for an alpaca to look after and show at his or her county fair. And it’s possible that you will allow a youth to attend and show at an AOA certified show with you.

How you mentor is up to you. But one thing is certain; you have the ability to positively impact a young person’s life and help the alpaca industry as well.

If this sounds like something for you, please complete the form. Mentor Farms will be promoted on the AOA website, social media pages and to 4-H and FFA students.

Thank you for your investment in youth and alpacas. Please share your photos with us or tag us using the hashtags #mentorfarm and #alpacayouth.