About Us

Are you looking for quality cold weather wear that will work with your existing wardrobe?  Do you appreciate pieces that are as stylish as they are warm?  Tired of buying clothes that only last a season before they end up in the donation pile...or the trash?

We mindfully raise a herd of alpaca who produce the softest, warmest natural fiber around.  Their fiber is grown, harvested and milled to created the most sustainable garments for your head, neck, hands and home.  Each piece is made possible through collective effort using small American businesses, many of which are right here in our community.  When you invest in a piece, you wrap yourself in everlasting warmth, while helping to preserve our rural heritage for the years to come.  

About the farm and farmers-

I'm Elaine and together with my husband, Mike, we live on our small farm in southeastern Washington state, in the quintessential rural agricultural community of Walla Walla.  With no previous livestock or farming experience, we began our farm in May 2014 as a way to start anew after learning a traditional family wasn't in the cards for us.  We started with the purchase of 3 suri alpaca, and have grown our herd ever since.

In the course of caring for our alpaca and working the land, I also discovered how calming and therapeutic farming can be.  As a veteran of the Iraq War, this lifestyle has been a welcome and uplifting change.  Farming has become a way for me to continue to give back to my community after leaving the Army, and it keeps me focused and motivated when Mike is often across the state in Tacoma serving in the Washington Army National Guard.

The farm is situated on the last remaining 10 acres of an old 164-acre homestead originally settled by Nathaniel S. Gholson, a pioneer from Iowa.  We proudly curate copies of the historical documents that originally conveyed the land to Mr. Gholson by signature of Ulysses S. Grant, on August 20, 1875. Because we take our responsibility to this homestead, and its rich heritage, very deeply and very personally, we named our farm business Old Homestead Alpacas as a tribute.  And when we expanded to offer seasonal cut flower bouquets, we named that venture Gholson Gardens, paying homage to the original homestead family name.

Old Homestead Alpacas is a proud member of the Farmer Veterans Coalition (FVC), a non-profit organization supporting, encouraging, mentoring and inspiring agricultural and ranching careers for returning service men and women. All of the fiber products available in this shop came from alpacas pastured at Old Homestead Alpacas - and proudly carry the Homegrown By Heroes label.