Black Fern Farm is an alpaca and llama ranch perched amongst the hills of Washington, Vermont. It is owned and operated by a dual-military husband and wife team, Lizz and Eric. Our farm began on a rugged hillside in Westford, Vermont before moving to our Washington 1850s farmhouse in July of 2024. The farm spans 161.8 acres and offers a breathtaking mix of pastures, streams, and forested hills.

The spark behind the farm ignited during a visit to an alpaca farm on a summer camping trip in Maine. A lover of animals and everything outdoors, Lizz was immediately infatuated with the farm’s serene pastures and the unique qualities of these camelids. Being a knitter of almost two decades, she was intrigued by the outstanding qualities and potential of the alpaca fiber. After ample research; subsequent visits to many other alpaca farms; and a stint volunteering on a Vermont alpaca farm, the first four “fiber males” arrived to Black Fern Farm in July of 2022. The boys presented a steep, but exciting learning curve, buffered with endless entertainment and, of course, gorgeous fiber.

In July of 2023, the first two female llamas arrived at Black Fern Farm as an exploration into the alpaca’s rugged cousins. Lizz was hooked and the farm’s focus has pivoted to include the renowned trekking of llamas. It has been nothing short of incredible living the differences between these two types of camelids.

As a new farm we are focused on building a sustainable model for growth as we expand our agritourism and fiber offerings. We are constantly building not only the agricultural and recreational attributes of our farm, but also refining our brand and developing future opportunities for community interest. We apply a gentle approach to agriculture and husbandry and have a focus on local sourcing. Our animals are registered with the International Lama Registry (ILR) and the Alpaca Owner’s Association (AOA).

We’re excited to share what our future holds with you!