BELCHERTOWN – Little River Farm is celebrating its third anniversary by inviting the public to see and pet their animals at Spring Farm Fest.

Sarah Utterback-Perez and her husband Daniel Perez own the farm and love introducing their animals to friends and strangers alike. Visits are normally made by appointment, but on May 21 the farm is open to anyone. There is a $10 admission fee which includes lunch. Children under 2 are admitted for free.

“We like to have as many events as we can, giving the public a chance to see animals they don’t normally see. A lot of people like alpacas. They tell us alpacas are their favorite animal,” said Sarah.
Spring Farm Fest will showcase the alpacas as well as mini donkeys, goats, peacocks, baby chicks and friendly farm dogs. Adults and children will be able to pet and talk to the animals. There will also be activities for children including a craft station and games.

Many of the people who visit Little River Farm are fascinated with how Sarah and Daniel got into farming.

“A lot of people dream of living and working on a farm. We love talking about the farm and treating visitors as our guests. We’re sharing the farm and our animals with them and letting them have that experience,” said Sarah.

Little River is a three-acre working farm. Sarah and Daniel raise and nurture 14 alpacas, sheering their fleece once a year and sending it off to a processing center where it is turned into hats, scarves, gloves and socks. The merchandise is sold at a store on the farm.

Sarah and Daniel have professional careers as full-time members of the Army National Guard because the farm doesn’t turn a profit. But raising and caring for the animals fulfills a passion the couple has outside of work.

“It’s great to have the animals. We care about them and their welfare. We give them the best lives we can, knowing that’s not always the case with bigger industrial farms. We’re all about small farms. We like having so few animals that we get to know them individually and can take care of their basic needs,” said Sarah.

They eventually hope to quit their jobs and work the farm full-time.

“We are passionate about raising alpacas and selling their fiber. We hope to make it profitable someday and make it our primary jobs. But our goal right now is to break even,” she said.

The animals won’t be the only thing on display at Spring Farm Fest. Sarah and Daniel will also be showcasing their love of farming and their animals.

“Some people come all the time and they feel our animals are their animals too. They know the names of all the animals,” said Sarah.

Spring Farm Fest is taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 21 at Little River Farm located at 2 River Rd.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/littleriverpacas or call 603-557-1791.