Heartwood Farm was conceived years ago, but the dream was finally realized in 2002.
Nestled in the beautiful, fertile prairies in the heart of Minnesota, our farm is reminiscent of the pioneer days, when covered wagons rolled over the wild countryside of the Midwest. We are surrounded by lush green trees; lakes, ponds, and rivers; a waterfowl refuge; and wildlife of all kinds. The serenity is breathtaking.
Instead of taking away from this beauty, we’re trying to add to it. Our stunning collection of alpacas will capture your heart with warm colors, great personalities, and fantastic fiber. We vow to work with local veterinarians and other breeders to ensure we take the best possible care of all our animal friends. We will only breed good-quality animals, bringing out the best characteristics of the dam and the sire. We promise to provide the best service and support possible to our clients. We firmly believe that the animal community is like one big family and we need to help each other whenever we can. We've taken in animals that others can no longer care for and helped find good homes for others.
Heartwood farm is a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. Our animals are part of our family and we treasure them all!
Currently we are owned by alpacas, llamas, chickens, guineas, goats, pigs, miniature donkeys, horses, Scottish Highlander cattle, a pot-bellied pig, dogs, cats, and an emu, and who knows what else, it often changes! People often ask us, "how many animals do you have now?" It's pretty bad when you can't answer the question right away, and well, we usually can't.
Who we are: We're animal lovers! Pioneers! We love the country life!
Barbara runs the farm store, makes some of the things we sell in the store, helps take care of the animals, does offsite events and festivals to promote the farm, and decorates the farm for all events. She goes a little bit crazy at Christmastime with lights. Drive by any weekend evening from Thanksgiving through January and you'll see why!
Scott is the innovator on the farm--part handyman, part creative genius. He can take an old cow stanchion and turn it into a gate, turn a grain bin into a home for our various birds, and make a hay wagon in three evenings! (We try not to let him near ladders, though, he has issues...but as he says, "The ground ALWAYS catches me!".)
Grandpa Loren, who now lives in Washington state with his friend Karen, is retired and helps with farm maintenance whenever he's in town (especially if it can be done from a 4-wheeler, tractor, or boom truck!).
Alex, now 8 years old, thinks he's really the one running the farm. At our Open Houses, he's our "front man". He'll provide you with a tour, explain everything to you (whether you want to hear it or not), and offer you a brownie. Of course, he'll have a couple himself, just to prove they're good.... He is proving to be quite the farmhand, recently learning how to drive the 4-wheeler by himself so he can help deliver hay to the animals. I think he drives like his Grandpa Loren (no dad, that is not a compliment! Hahaha). He loves building things and he's also quite the model and loves having his picture taken.
Our family is made complete with our two rescued dogs, Windsor and Shamus. Both are absolutely adorable and we don't know what we would do without them. We are very glad they found us!
