Are you searching for innovative ways to enhance your business while creating memorable experiences for others? Look no further than Harvest Hosts. This RV camping membership opens doors for self-contained RVers to embark on unforgettable journeys and stay overnight at your farm.
Embraced by members of the Alpaca Owners Association (AOA), Harvest Hosts has become a valuable opportunity for alpaca farms across the country. Among these Hosts are Arella Farm, LLC in Lamar, Mississippi, and Sawdust Alpacas, LLC in Fallon, Nevada, both hosting since 2021.
For these farms, the program is more than offering a place to park. It’s about building connections, sharing their land, and creating one-of-a-kind experiences for guests.
Why alpacas?
Sawdust Alpacas: My husband says, “I saw them, I liked them, and so I got them.” That is exactly what happened. He saw alpacas advertised for a show in Reno, attended, gathered information, and decided that’s what he wanted to do after retiring from 35 years as a journeyman carpenter. We now have 42 alpacas on the property.
Arella Farm: My husband and I attended a Christian marriage conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, eight years ago. During our free time, we visited Heifer Village. While we didn’t see cows, we did encounter our first alpacas. It was love at first sight. We sold our house in the city, purchased farmland near our grandchildren, and the rest is history.
How did you decide to become a Harvest Hosts location, and what attracted you to the program?
Sawdust Alpacas: Glenn learned about Harvest Hosts during an alpaca farm tourism seminar. It offered a way to bring visitors to the farm and generate additional income to offset expenses. He signed up that day and was approved immediately. Our first guest arrived in October 2021. We have five acres, so there is plenty of space for RVs, and we installed electrical outlets at each site. If guests use power, we charge $10 per night in addition to what they spend in the store.
Arella Farm: After attending my first AOA conference and learning that people want to see and learn about alpacas, we realized agritourism could be a good fit. We started with birthday parties and field trips. During one visit, a parent asked if we were part of Harvest Hosts. I hadn’t heard of it, but I was open to exploring new opportunities. After speaking with a representative, I learned we met the requirements. They explained that members prefer experiences and peaceful settings over parking lots and are encouraged to support Hosts through purchases. We signed up that day and have been hosting since March 2021.
What is your favorite part about being a Harvest Hosts location?
Sawdust Alpacas: We enjoy meeting visitors from all over the world. We’ve hosted guests from Denmark, England, Newfoundland, Israel, and every U.S. state. Glenn loves sharing information about alpacas and fiber. I worked in a mill, so we can explain fiber processing and then bring guests into the store to experience products made from our fiber.
Arella Farm: My favorite part is the people. We meet guests from all walks of life and love hearing their stories.
How has hosting RVers helped your business?
Sawdust Alpacas: From October 2021 through December 2022, we hosted more than 300 guests. Many spent more than the suggested minimum. We were able to purchase enough alpaca feed for a full year. We also bought a small store building and moved products out of our living room, which improved the experience for both visitors and us.
Arella Farm: Hosting has given us valuable exposure. Guests share their experiences, post photos, and tag us on social media. While some spend the suggested minimum, most go above and beyond.
What are some of your favorite stories with Harvest Hosts members?
Sawdust Alpacas: It’s hard to choose just one. One of our first visitors was a family with a young boy who wanted to help Glenn fill water buckets. While he held the hose, our herdsire Thunder reached over the fence and nibbled his hair. He was surprised at first, then laughed and thought it was great that Thunder gave him “kisses.”
Another time, a cria was born late in the evening and needed intensive care due to Dummy Foal Syndrome. A Harvest Hosts couple staying with us stepped in and helped care for her—bottle feeding and supporting her until the vet arrived. She survived and is now thriving on another ranch.
We’ve also hosted travelers from all walks of life—a couple touring the country in a tiny home, a scientist from the Challenger Space Shuttle program, a race car driver, and international travelers exploring the U.S.
Arella Farm: One guest played guitar with us around a campfire and joined us for a meal at a local café. We’ve hosted families, retirees, and travelers from around the world. One family with a young daughter who had received a heart transplant was traveling to meet someone who supported her through recovery. Another family from Israel shared their story of being unable to return home during conflict. Watching them encourage their children to speak English and hearing their experiences was deeply moving. That evening, they displayed an American flag on their RV. It was a moment I will never forget.
What advice would you give other alpaca farms considering joining the Harvest Hosts program?
Sawdust Alpacas: You likely won’t regret becoming a Host. Here are a few tips:
- Keep your Harvest Hosts page updated.
- Respond quickly to guest inquiries.
- Be flexible with arrival times when possible.
- Greet guests and help them get settled.
- Offer power if available, but it is not required.
- Provide tours or experiences once guests are settled.
- Offer products at a range of price points.
- Make guests feel welcome and appreciated.
Arella Farm: Make sure you have proper insurance coverage. Don’t assume your farm is too small—we started with just eight alpacas. Guests simply want to see and experience them. Be ready to share and connect.
If you’re ready to grow your business and create meaningful connections, Harvest Hosts offers an opportunity to do both. Join farms like Arella Farm and Sawdust Alpacas in welcoming travelers and sharing the alpaca lifestyle. Becoming a Host is simple—complete your application, create your profile, and start welcoming guests. All you need is your farm and a suitable place for an RV.
Learn more by visiting the Harvest Hosts website.
A message from Sawdust Alpacas: “We would like to thank Harvest Hosts for sponsoring our male alpaca, Sawdust’s JCs Nambar. We appreciate your support. Meet Harvest Hosts’ HaRVey.”