Leaving Birmingham in 1999 following a career move for Ken to the southeast corner of Alabama known as the Wiregrass and the Peanut Capital of the world, Ken and Patti Spruell found themselves on the family farm where Patti grew up.  Surrounded by Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, cattle, peanuts, cotton, and other area crops, they carved out a 5-acre parcel to build their home on. Patti spent many hours at her drafting board designing their new home.  When Ken was not at his office, he spent many hours riding his tractor around and around.  Patti surprised him with a shiny red bush hog for Christmas that year.  Something productive had to come from all that tractor riding.  And something did.  Ken soon became intrigued with goats, cattle, tractors, and country life.   Patti fondly referred to him as a “wanna-be farmer”.  She was quick to remind him that they did not move here to farm and that he should “stick to his day job”.  And by the way…. what could you possibly raise on a mere five acres?!!  Not to be defeated, Ken called her from his office one afternoon and asked her what did she think about Alpacas?  Other than thinking they were “cute, fluffy, from South America, and cousins to Camels and Llamas, she hadn’t thought much about them. That soon changed. After much research and consideration, in 2004 they started their herd with “Cinderella”, a beautiful, bred silver grey, “Cassandra” a sage old Chilean import, and her precocious, but delightful cria (baby), “Camilla”.  Then they acquired “Tanier”, intended, but unproven herd sire to be, and his companion “Cantinero”.  “Tanier” has now sired four beautiful crias and has more on the way.
             Breeding for better fleece and confirmation, their herd of Huacayas is steadily increasing and improving with proven breeding stock, acquisitions, and breedings from other ranches.  As for color, Ken’s goal is Grays and Blacks.  To date, they’re batting a thousand on color preference.