Turning Passion Into Profit

From City Life Back to the Land

My husband and I did not set out to build Maryland’s top agritourism destination. We simply started with 20 alpacas, a love of the land and a very loose idea of what the future might look like. Then one fall festival brought more than 20,000 people to the farm in a single month, and we realized Black Barn Alpacas could become something far bigger than we had ever imagined.

My path here was not linear. I grew up in Maryland surrounded by horses and farm life, and that early connection to animals never really left me. I eventually pursued a career in interior design, spending more than a decade working in high-end residential and commercial spaces. My husband, Travis, had a similar path. He grew up in Wyoming in a homesteading family and later built a career in construction.

On paper, we were successful. But over time, we both felt pulled toward something more grounded. We wanted to build work that reflected our values and created a real connection between people, animals and the land.

In 2020, we made the decision to close our construction business in Texas and begin seriously exploring what the next chapter of our lives would look like.

Discovering Alpacas

Alpacas were not part of the original plan. In fact, they were not on our radar at all. But once we visited a few farms and spent time with them, everything changed. Their calm, curious presence immediately stood out. We were also drawn to how sustainable they are, gentle on the land, low impact and a source of naturally durable fiber.

We started small with a herd of 20 alpacas and a loose idea of what the business might become. At the time, we focused on breeding and fiber production, learning as we went and leaning on other farmers as we figured things out.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

A friend approached us with an idea to host a fall festival on our property. It was not part of our business plan nor something we had ever thought about before, but we said yes. In just one month, more than 20,000 people came to the farm.

That experience made something clear. People were not just interested in alpacas. They were looking for a connection to nature, animals and experiences that felt real in a fast-paced world.

That festival became the foundation for everything we built next.

Building a Farm That Is Also a Business

Black Barn Alpacas today is more than a farm. It is a diversified business built around three pillars: agriculture, retail and immersive experiences. As the business evolved, we expanded beyond breeding and fiber production into agritourism, retail and wellness programming.

Eventually, we made a major transition and relocated the farm to Maryland for better climate conditions for our animals. Today, Black Barn Alpacas spans 50 acres and is home to more than 150 alpacas.

One of the most meaningful parts of that evolution has been our onsite farm shoppe, where we offer alpaca fiber products that are sustainable, hypoallergenic and built to last. These are heirloom-quality goods made from our own herd, designed to be used, cherished and passed on.

That commitment to bringing our work closer to people has also expanded beyond the farm. We recently opened our first storefront in downtown Sykesville, Maryland, extending the farm experience into the community and offering another way to shop ethically made alpaca products.

Our farm events have become a core part of what we do. Seasonal offerings like Fall Ag’tivities, Fleece Navidad and Easter Eggstravaganza bring families onto the farm for hands-on experiences where they can feed alpacas, learn how fiber is made and spend time on the land.

The farm has also grown into a place for meaningful celebrations, from birthday parties and baby showers to family reunions and corporate team building. These gatherings are intentionally simple, designed for people to slow down, connect and leave with memories that feel real and lasting.

We have also expanded into wellness programming, including yoga, meditation and full moon hikes. Alpacas have a naturally calming presence, and we consistently see how powerful it is for visitors to slow down, breathe and reconnect with something real.

Sustainability at the Core of Our Mission

Sustainability is the foundation of everything we do.

We reuse seasonal décor year after year. Families take part in crafts using alpaca fiber, creating keepsakes that are natural, meaningful and rooted in experience rather than consumption.

Across the farm, we make intentional choices that reduce environmental impact. We use biodegradable feed cups, reusable feed bags and encourage guests to bring their own picnics.

We also return nutrients to the land by spreading alpaca manure across hay fields to naturally fertilize the soil and support future growth.

Even materials that might otherwise be discarded are given new purpose. Lower-quality fleece is transformed into dryer balls or nesting material for wildlife. Finer leftover fleece is used as natural insulation for piping systems on the farm.

Very little is ever wasted because everything has potential.

Lessons From Farming

Farming teaches resourcefulness in a way few other industries can. Every day on the land reinforces the idea that if something can be reused, repurposed or reintegrated, it should be.

That mindset shapes everything we do at Black Barn Alpacas. From how we design experiences to how we build products and manage the land, we are constantly asking how we can operate with more intention and more responsibility.

We have also seen a shift in the people who visit us. Families are becoming more intentional about where products come from, how animals are treated and the impact their choices have on the environment. More people are choosing meaningful experiences and investing in products that are natural, durable and ethically made.

Turning Passion Into Profit

Building Black Barn Alpacas into a thriving business has required constant evolution. We did not begin with a perfect roadmap. We began with passion, curiosity and a willingness to adapt.

What began with breeding and fiber production evolved into a business that blends agritourism, retail, wellness and education, all working together to support a model rooted in sustainability, connection and long-term growth.

For me, profit has never been measured in dollars alone. True success is watching families step onto the farm and immediately slow down. It is seeing children connect with animals in a way that feels joyful and genuine, or hearing visitors say they never imagined agriculture could feel this peaceful and meaningful.

Turning passion into profit has meant building something that reflects who we are and what we value. We chose sustainability over shortcuts, experiences over transactions and connection over convenience.

If there is one lesson I would share, it is this: when you build something with authenticity and purpose, people feel it.

Black Barn Alpacas exists today because we followed what mattered to us, stayed open to change and allowed the business to evolve into something bigger than we originally imagined.