Meet the Board

Loretta, along with her husband Bruce and their kids started, Dreamin’ Alpacas 17 years ago but owned alpacas a bit longer as they hadn’t thought of what they should call themselves. She'd been a hairstylist for 27 years and just love hair, so alpaca fibre isn’t very different. Loretta is also an alpaca fibre classer for Alpaca Naturally and helps other farms when they don’t know what to do with their fibre, especially after shearing the alpacas.  Not only do they shear their own alpacas but provide that service for much of Saskatchewan!

Both Loretta and her husband grew up on farms, mixed and dairy and have always loved livestock. Once they began their own family, they felt they needed to go in a different direction of livestock. Ideally, something that was gentler on themselves and the kids (as they were so small at the time) and easy on the land as space was limited. They were introduced to the alpacas and fell in love with them. Later, they found themselves always dreaming of the perfect alpaca, thus Dreamin' Alpacas was chosen as their farm name. They visited numerous farms in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and even a couple in Ontario! They loved getting to know the breeders and their alpacas and just “talking alpaca”. 

Attending shows and seeing everyone’s hard work in each of their programs is something they admire. It provides great insight to improving their own herd and how to help others. So much joy is also brought to them when planning for the new crias, finding names and just watching them grow up. At the end of the day Loretta likes to sit at her spinning wheel and just make yarn.

A couple years ago, Loretta was approached and was asked “Hey, do you want to come and be on the board?” She agreed and it’s been a lot of fun! The opportunity to be the President was presented this year and she was very thankful to have such an absolute wonderful group to work with and plan all sorts of fun activities for the members and none member who are looking for something new.

Rachel and her husband got into alpacas 18 years ago after a farm visit with Country Vista Alpacas, where they instantly fell in love with these adorable animals and their amazing fibre! Their first purchase of 4 fibre boys was a perfect fit for the hobby livestock. They were looking to add to our farm and over time it grew to become a herd ranging from 20-30 animals. These animals are relatively easy to care for, respond readily to handling and have been good with their kids. Plus it's a joy to get to know each animal's personality and is always a unique conversation starter! Mostly, Rachel fell in love with their fleece, igniting a passion for fibre arts and learning such skills as knitting, spinning, weaving; basically anything she can learn and the possibilities are endless! 

They joined SABN soon after their first purchase to network with other breeders and to learn all they could about alpacas. They've been hooked ever since, won over by the warm and engaging alpaca community. So much so, that over the years either Rachel or her husband have served on the board in one position or another. Their journey has been a constant learning curve but also an adventure, one that continues to unfold and inspire as new opportunities in the industry evolve.  

 Tamasyn was nominated to be on the board in 2024 and  jumped at the chance. She viewed being on the board as a huge learning experience. A great opportunity for her has been going to Agribition with SABN, getting to hear what the judges and breeders are looking for when grading fleeces and showing alpacas.

Tamasyn has owned alpacas for the last 7 years and her farm is called Yolk N’ Yarn.  Originally,  she wanted something to mow the pasture on a limited number of acres. While considering a few ideas and conversing with a friend who is a brilliant knitter commented she loved knitting with alpaca fibre. A few alpaca farm visits later, Yolk N Yarn began.

The first two alpacas that were born on the farm (happened to be two boys) hold top spot for favorites! They are complete opposites, one goofy and playful, while the other is more a herd protector.

Tamasyn has become quite a fibre enthusiast, thanks to her alpacas. The benefits of fibre animals are numerous, and she appreciate every opportunity to learn about other’s experiences in the fibre industry.  She also welcome anyone wanting to reach out to Yolk N’ Yarn about alpacas, fleeces and fibre arts.

Kristi was nominated this year (2026) and was very excited to join as the content coordinator to help the organization have more of an online and social media presence.

She first purchased pet alpacas after neighbors had a little cria and she fell in love.  Kristi then discovered there was a whole world of showing and so much more to these creatures and she was hooked.  She decided to start her registered herd and call it Underdog Alpacas, after her husbands trucking company in hopes that would get him to enjoy them too!

Currently, her favorites on the farm are her new herdsire, Zion and Nutmeg (in the picture), the first alpaca with their farm name.

Along with attending halter shows, Kristi is also a vendor at many markets in and around Warman, selling all sorts of products made from alpaca! 

Trudy McCall is part owner of TnC farms with Cathy Merkley. They have been in the alpaca business since 1996.  She lives north and east of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Trudy was raised on the farm and is an Animal Health Technician.  Trudy and her husband, Cory, have 4 kids and 7 grandchildren.  Trudy works as a massage therapist and a college instructor in addition to her work with TnC Farms' alpacas.  She is also a custom shearer and has taught shearing schools all across Canada.

TnC farms is dedicated to the improvement of the breed and the advancement of the industry.  It is all about making a better baby and getting high quality products to the marketplace to build demand for the fabulous fibre that our alpacas produce.

When we started in the alpaca business in 1996, very little was known in Canada about raising alpacas and even less about alpaca fibre.  All these years later, we are considered old timers in the business and are grateful for everything the alpacas and their people have taught us and proud of the knowledge that we have to pass along to people coming into the business.