M2A Farm is a little piece of paradise, easily accessible in north central Illinois, just off I-55, and Rts. 17, 47, and 66. Alpacas, llamas, Turkish akbash livestock guardian dogs, and a variety of poultry and other small animals call this "home". Within months of arriving here, the county assessor told us we would be reassessed from agricultural to residential status. We had changed nothing from the previous owners. Long story short, he said, "You're not a farm." So, we got alpacas and told him, "Am too a farm!"

Just curious, researching, or already an owner, in whatever stage of the alpaca journey you are, we can offer you something. Alpacas can save you money on your taxes, can be an investment, can provide you with fiber, but most of all, can be the life-changing experience you've been looking for. "Life is too important to be taken seriously" - Oscar Wilde. We may not take ourselves seriously, but we're very serious about the care and quality of our alpacas and the support and service we provide our customers. Our goal is to breed for genetically sound, phenotypically correct and ever-improved alpacas whose fiber has all the characteristics necessary to qualify it as the premier natural fiber it can be...and to do so humanely. We believe in treating our customers and visitors as we would like to be treated. Call or email us to schedule a visit and see what we can do for you.

Kat and Ron Medrea
M2A Farm Suri Alpacas and Llamas
32794 N. 2300 East Road
Dwight, IL 60420
H: 815-584-9496
C: 630-408-3655
m2afarm@gmail.com

What's An Alpaca?

Alpacas are actually camels, and therefore members of the Camelid family, which includes not only the humped animals from Africa and Asia we commonly know as camels, but also the llama, which like the alpaca, is a domestic animal, and the wild vicuna and guanaco. All four of these come from South America. Now North America has discovered alpacas - an eco-friendly livestock.

What Do You Do With Them? Alpacas have an exceptionally fine fiber, which is naturally hypoallergenic, soft, warm, and often compared to cashmere. It is used for everything from hats, scarves, and mittens, to high fashion items such as capes, shawls, coats, suits, and dresses. Their fleece is shorn once a year, in the spring. An adult alpaca might produce 50 to 90 oz. or more of first-quality fiber, as well as 50 to 100 oz. of second and third quality fiber. In its raw state, an ounce of alpaca fiber varies from $2.00 - $5.00. Each stage of the process (cleaning, carding, spinning, knitting, finishing, etc.) adds more value to the fiber. As a finished garment, it can sell for upwards of $10.00 per oz. Alpaca fiber is sold in several ways. Hand-spinners and fiber artists buy raw fleece. Knitters often purchase alpaca yarn. Fiber cooperatives and mills process alpaca fiber for the producer to utilize in an on-farm store. Fashion designers are incorporating alpaca into their designs and worldwide demand for alpaca fiber is increasing.

What's The Difference Between Alpacas and Llamas?

Llamas are generally larger than alpacas and have "banana-shaped" ears. Whereas alpacas have been utilized throughout their history primarily for their fiber, the wearing of which at one time meant death for anyone who wasn't a king, llamas have served primarily as beasts of burden, carrying heavy packs and providing a major source of protein in South America. Their fiber, though not as fine as alpaca, is valued as well for clothing and rugs. Llamas in North America are the preferred pack animals for hiking in wilderness areas, since their soft, padded two-toed feet are gentle to the land. They can pull carts and are also used to guard other livestock such as sheep, goats and their smaller Alpaca cousins. Llamas, like alpacas, compete in the show ring, participate in parades, and work as therapy animals. Alpacas and llamas are intelligent, calm and fascinating animals.