Located in Homosassa, FL. In the late 1970's Al and Joan purchased the property that would become the STAR-K Ranch. As time went along they purchased adjacent proerties to bring the size of the ranch to just over 100 acres. Al and Joan continued to commute to St. Petersburg, FL from the farm, managing their business and enjoying the lifestyle of week-end farmers.
Al and Joan finally sold their business and moved full time to the ranch in 2003. Dad just couldn't believe he was able to run a successful business in St. Petersburg, FL and do everything that needed to be done on the ranch, part time. Mom and Dad worked everyday, tirelessly running the ranch, raising cattle, mending fences, removing dead or fallen trees and all of the other tasks required to run the ranch.
In 2008 we decided to add more tasks to Mom and Dad's daily workload. We formed STAR-K Alpaca Ranch, LLC with the help of our friend and neighbor, Jean Riley of Alpaca Magic USA. During the farm days of 2008 we purchased our first 3 Alpacas. Since the first purchases, we have grown to a herd of 20 Alpacas. Dad does all of the pasture maintenance, feeding and caring of the Alpacas during the week and most week-ends. He single handedly builds fences, shelters, and attends to everyother need of the Alpacas. Mom takes care of the data collection, books, fielding phone calls and basically everything that needs to be done to keep the state and federal governments happy with our business.
Debbie and Marshall were looking for something to lessen our Federal Tax burden, to find a way to protect the farm in the future and find a hands on investment vehicle. We partnered with mom and dad as the other partners in STAR-K Alpaca Ranch, LLC.
Debbie worked in the family business until dad sold it. She was the Vice President of Auto Aid, Inc. and has worked in several positions since. She landed a job as a Veterarian Technician/Office Manager in Cocoa Beach, FL which married her love of animals and her experience in running a business. Debbie's experience as a VET Technician comes in handy. She does all of the injections, does the research in treatments, does the hands on body scoring of the Alpacas, trims toe nails and lots of feeding and pasture maintenance when we are at the ranch on the week-ends.
Marshall's day job as a Software Engineer/Project Manager is way different than what he does with the Alpacas. Marshall does whatever needs to be done, to support the caring and feeding of the Alpacas. He takes care of the web site, the marketing tasks, the photo library, the computer systems and handles both the fence post hole digger and pooper scooper with expertiese. Although not exactly the same, he basically relies on the same skills he learned in the US Submarine Navy. He spent 30 years as a submariner, advancing to Master Chief and holding a job as the Chief of the Boat on USS Alaska (SSBN 732)(Blue). So, taking care of Alpacas, in his opinion is way easier than taking care of the crew of a SSBN, and they talk back less..
We rely heavily on volunteers, like our son Michael and our aunt and uncle, Irene and Jerry to help us make our Alpacas happy and healthy. Without their support, we would have a hard time just keeping up with the Alpacas needs. Thanks.
We love to have friends visit the farm, like Lori and David. When they visit, we put them to work and they really enjoy their time spent on the ranch. And best of all, David works cheap, and Lori loves to sleep in until the work is done so she can visit our favorite restaurant, Charlies in Crystal River, FL..
There is nothing like the lifestyle of raising, breeding and caring for Alpacas. To visit and spend hours with us talking about our life with Alpacas, contact us for a visit. No presure to buy, no experience necessary and no obligation. We love what we do and we are sure you will too. And best of all with every visit, we'll let you take home a bag of "Al's Paca POOP".