Day: January 11, 2022

Family Field Trips

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School may be back in session, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end! We know that many of our fans are doing schooling either partially for fully online. We are still open 7 days a week for the month of September with tours throughout the day. Join us for a family field trip to take a break from all the zoom learning and working from home!
Our public tour groups are limited to no more than 10 people, and are a great educational experience. At Apple Hill Farm, we have 9 different species of animals, all working together in harmony. Each animal has a very important job on the farm, and many have a story a well. From fiber production, to guarding from predators, to weed control, each job is integral to keeping Apple Hill Farm running smoothly. All of our animals are friendly, and many love meeting new visitors!
The tour is a guided walking tour and is all outdoors, allowing you and your family a chance to unplug from technology and get back in touch with the things that really matter; yourself, your family, and a real farm experience. A family field trip may be just what the doctor ordered to help you de-stress.
Join us for a safe, socially distant tour and learn all about the alpacas, llamas, and other animals that call Apple Hill Farm home! Tour groups are limited to 10 people or less, and masks are required at all times for people ages 4 and up. We have sanitizer stations at each stop on the tour, and we are working hard to keep all of our visitors safe while they are on the farm.
Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased through our website.
Not local, or not planning a trip to the High Country? We are still offering alpaca video calls as well! Send us an email to book a private call, or to book a ‘llama-bomb’ where we join your meeting or class LIVE from the alpaca and llama field.

Apple Hill Farm is OPEN!

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We are open and welcoming visitors!

You DO need to join us for a tour to see the animals. We do not offer ‘self-guided’ tours and you cannot walk around the farm on your own. We offer guided educational tours of our farm all year round! They are a fun and educational experience for all ages. Advance tickets are required to join the tour.

Public Tour

 

You do not need reservations for the farm store. We are open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm for the month of July!

Tours:

Tours of the farm are by Reservation ONLY. Call or click “Book a Tour” to make your reservation.

We are a real working fiber farm! Your tour will be an educational tour where you learn about the animals who live and play at Apple Hill Farm. Most of our animals are very friendly, but we are not a petting zoo and we let the animals choose if they will come over to interact with the tour or not.

  • Advanced tickets are required. We cannot accommodate drive-up tours at this time.
  • At this time, we are limiting tours to groups of 10 people or less, including infants.
  • Private Family Tours are private comprised of just you and your group. The tour is the exact same length as the public tour. Public Tours are mixed groups of people from various families.
  • Face masks are required for all people ages 4 and up.

Store:

10 to 4: 7 days a week for the month of July. Check the Visit Our Farm page for our current hours.

  • No appointment necessary during open hours.
  • Masks are required at all times.
  • We are limiting shoppers to no more than 4 at a time in the store. We thank you for your patience if your group has to wait to enter the store.

Alpaca Zoom Video Calls!

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It’s been over a month since we said “Goodbye” to the last visitors and shut the gates to the farm. We’re all happy to be healthy and safe, but we sure do miss seeing your smiling faces!

In an effort to stay connected, and still help our Farm Family take a break from life and get back in touch with what’s real, we’re launching alpaca zoom calls! We’ll be offering both private and group video call appointments via Zoom. All you need to join us is a stable internet connection and a phone, tablet, or computer with a webcam. We’ll email you a link to the video call shortly before your appointment, and then join you live from the alpaca field!

For now, reservations can be made per device, not per person. All the members of your household are welcome to join in on ONE device to chat with the alpacas and your tour guide.

Private zoom calls are just for your group, and are $10 for a 10 minute call. We will add more availability if needed, but we are planning on offering 10 minute appointments between 11 am and 12 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

We are also offering a public group Q&A call on Saturday mornings. This call is $15 per device, and is open to 20 devices or more. You will be on a group call and will have more time to interact with the alpacas and your tour guide.

Want an alpaca or llama to join your meeting or class? We can drop in for $25 for 10 minutes.

Make your reservation below! We will adjust availability and times as needed. Don’t see a time that works for you? Email us at applehillfarmnc@gmail.com and we will see how we can work with you to make your alpaca dreams come true.

Private Alpaca Zoom Call

Book your call now:

Book Now

Covid-19 Closings

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Hello Farm Family,

We have made the difficult decision to close the farm to visitors, tours, and guests until further notice. In these trying times we must all come together to ‘flatten the curve’ and slow the spread of Covid-19/Coronavirus.

We know this is disappointing news to many, especially in the midst of Spring Break travel plans and school closings – we are just as sad as you are! We will be using this time to bring more positive and fun posts to you on Facebook and Instagram. We know many people come to us to get break from the hustle and bustle of life and to reconnect to a genuine experience. While we won’t be able to bring that you in person for the coming weeks, we are working on creative ways to share the farm virtually!

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we look forward to seeing everybody soon!

We encourage all of our fans to practice social distancing, stay safe, and support your  local businesses in safe ways.

If you would still like to support our small farm, we encourage you to order through our website or over the phone. We will also be offering curbside pickup at the end of our driveway. We do have hand soaps, essential oils, and hand sanitizer in stock.

We also encourage all of our Farm Family to support local farms by shopping a local farm stands, Food Hubs, and safe farmers markets.

 

For locals, the High Country Food Hub is a local resource for ordering foods online.

https://www.highcountryfoodhub.org/

 

We will continue to post updates here and on our Facebook page!

 

Thank you, and stay safe!

Lee, Brianne, and Tiffany

 

CAMELIDynamics @ Apple Hill Farm

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We are SO excited to be hosting CAMELIDynamics at the farm this Spring!

Whether you have 2 llamas or 200 alpacas CAMELIDynamics will help you have more fun and get more done! Learn to understand your animals on a whole new level.

Come for one, two, or ALL THREE days! Workshop cost ranges from $195-$500 depending on how many days of class you attend. Light breakfast, snacks, and lunch provided each day.

Learn how to really listen to and understand your animals! 

Three Day CAMELIDynamics Clinic in Banner Elk North Carolina: May 2 to May 4, 2020

There is no substitute for seeing CAMELIDynamics in action…

 …taught by the person who invented it!  Marty has traveled over a million miles around the world teaching her brand of animal understanding.  It isn’t enough to have a mastery of the material, a teacher must be able to excite and inspire. Marty is exceptional at both. She uses training aids she developed herself, along with a variety of role playing exercises designed to help owners really understand their wooly buddies.

There is nothing like feeling what it is like to wear a halter or to be led, to give you a whole different point of view. Have fun, be inspired and leave with a higher level of skill and understanding. This three day event is designed for all skill levels and includes her very popular “Show like a Pro” day. If you have been to a clinic in the past* consider coming back for a refresher and see for yourself how the method is constantly evolving. 

This class is open to ALL, whether you have 2 llamas, 200 alpacas, or are still in the dreaming phase of starting your own farm.

 

Day 1: Introduction to Camelidynamics and the Science of Behavior

The keystone of Marty’s educational program is the Introduction to CAMELIDynamics.  Learn why CAMELIDynamics is the most popular training system for camelids and is still going strong after 30 years!
Learn:

  • CAMELIDynamics what it is, how it can help you

  • The Science of Behavior–why doing things in a kind and respectful way is also the most scientifically sound approach

  • The basics of balance and the physics of animal handling

  • Herding, catching, haltering

  • Halter fitting–the magical effect of understanding how a halter works

  • TTouch and using bodywork as means of communication with your llama or alpaca

  • MORE!

 

Day 2: The CAMELIDynamics Approach to Herd Management – Have more fun AND get more done! 

Learn how to effectively and calmly complete the herd management requirements of all camelid owners.

  • The magic of the midline catch and the bracelet

  • Learn to use a neck wrap

  • Picking up feet, trimming toenails

  • Organizing a shearing day and “Shearing Tips and Tricks”

  • Giving injections without restraint

  • Helping your vet

  • Organizing your facility

  • Raising and training respectful and confident babies

  • Using the catch pen and the mini-catch pen

  • Working without restraint, creating and using the CAMELIDynamics Handing Facility

     

Day 3: Leading with balance and refinement/ Introduction to Clicker Training
 
Leading can be fun for both you and your animal. It is a perfect way to build a positive relationship with one another. Leading serves you in many ways: on the trail, out with the public or in the show ring. This class will teach you how to use refined leading  techniques and balance to help you and your camelid become a finely honed team.

  • Learn how to get an animal to stand still on the lead

  • Balance, Balance, Balance! Learn how understanding it helps you with herd management as well as how to show your animal to his or her best advantage

  • Learn how your behavior effects your animal on the lead rope

  • Learn how a halter works and how to make the halter work to communicate what you want your llama or alpaca to do.

  • Leading with refinement, competing over obstacles, trailering, and teaching to wear a pack or costume

  • Using bodywork for your llama or alpaca as a way of relaxing him before, during, and after competition

  • Obstacles and how to use them to create confidence that will (SURPRISE) help you trim toenails and give injections more easily

  • The basics of event marker training:  teaching a behavior, putting it on cue, specifics of how to set up for clicker training with camelids (clicker training) including hands-on exercises and practice
  • The Camelid Clicker Cookbook
  • Use your knowledge of behavior to understand animals on an entirely new level

 

* If you have attended a two day clinic in the past, email Marty at marty@camelidynamics.com with the date and location to receive a substantial discount on your attendance at this event.

Register Here!

YOU DO NEED TO JOIN A TOUR TO SEE THE ANIMALS:

Book a Tour

Store Hours:

Daily | 10am to 4pm

400 Apple Hill Road
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Email: applehillfarmnc@gmail.com
Phone: (828) 963-1662

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