“Animals are an important part of the family”: cozy living at Tourula farm with alpacas
At Tourula alpaca farm, people stay warm in the Christmas chill by wrapping themselves in their own alpacas’ wool. On Christmas Eve, the family lights homemade log candles and cheerfully tackles the barn chores together.
Snow-laden trees arch over the road winding through the central Finnish countryside. Frost has turned the landscape into a glittering winter castle. Tourula farm is also veiled in white. Only when you get close can you spot the group of alpacas in their enclosure. Suddenly, all their curious heads turn toward the newcomer. There are two enclosures: one with the girls peering out and another with the boys.
The first alpaca arrived at the farm in 2012, and life hasn’t been the same since: life with alpacas always brings new surprises.
Owners Anu Vanhala and Jari Neuvonen are feeding their alpacas while the morning is still dim. The animals eagerly wait in their pens for feed, water, and dry hay.
Next, the barn is cleaned and lined with hay. The same process is repeated in both the boys’ and girls’ sections. The male group is clearly smaller than the female group.
“They’re more prone to bickering with one another,” Anu says, laughing.
The farm was passed down to the couple from Anu’s parents.
“Nowadays, our family lives here with our dogs, cat, chickens, and of course our alpacas, which now total about twenty,” Anu says as she tosses hay into the enclosure.
Love for animals has inspired Anu to gradually expand the herd, even though each new alpaca brings its own concerns.
An alpaca’s main task is to produce wool once a year. Shearing takes place at the beginning of June, allowing time for a new coat to grow before winter. After shearing, the wool is cleaned of debris and sent to the only mill in Finland that spins pure alpaca fiber.
After shearing, it’s lovely to see each alpaca’s unique fleece. The farm awaits the finished skeins with great anticipation.
“Alpaca wool doesn’t contain lanolin, the waxy grease found in other wools, so it often works well for people with allergies. We don’t even need chemicals to process it. I’m allergic to many animals myself, but not these fluffy-headed friends,” Anu says, smiling at her herd.
After the morning feeding, the red farmhouse door creaks open. Soon, daughters Olivia and Safina step outside. Two-year-old Safina often gets a ride in her mother’s arms within the pens. Both girls are used to caring for animals. Ella and Freya are their own special alpacas. Olivia practices agility with Ella, while Safina is content to feed her animal friends by hand for now. In summer, the family gathers willow branches, which are a treat for the alpacas—and always in high demand among the herd. After a winter visit to the enclosure, both girls’ cheeks glow with excitement.
“Ella always wants stroking and scratching. We didn’t really have to teach her agility at all; she just follows me over the obstacles,” Olivia says.
The family enjoys a picnic in the yard on a frosty day. The old gray sauna building was once part of an abandoned house in the woods. Jari and Anu dismantled it log by log with a neighbor’s help and brought it to the farm’s yard. Its porch is the perfect spot for enjoying snacks while watching the alpacas peek over the fence. Felted seat pads, made from the farm’s own wool, are placed under everyone. Sitting here makes raisins and apples taste wonderfully sweet to the whole family.
“We supposedly made these seat pads to sell, but I just couldn’t give them up. Now they keep our own family warm,” Anu laughs.
Breakfast in the barn is done by seven o’clock. The alpacas get another meal in the afternoon, handled by Jari. Meanwhile, Anu cleans up droppings with her wheelbarrow and keeps an eye on each member of the herd. Between feedings, hay and water are always available. On rainy days, these refined creatures prefer to stay in the barn, but on a dry, frosty day the entire group loves being outdoors.
“They move around together. We have multiple generations here. Next summer, we’re expecting more baby alpacas. The newborns stay close to their mothers for nourishment and security,” Anu says.
When evening comes, the alpacas get another feeding, and plenty of gentle attention. Familiar faces watch from the pen, following anyone who enters. The herd is all together, and both the farm and the nearby forest creatures share a peaceful Christmas spirit. A welcoming candle flame flickers in the sauna window, and smoke drifts from the chimney. The path to the Christmas sauna winds through two pens, helping everyone settle into the snowy atmosphere at Tourula farm.
“Animals are an important part of our family, each in its own way. We care for them, love them, and give them cuddles,” Anu says.
On Christmas Eve, homemade log candles are lit at the farm, and the entire family enthusiastically takes care of the barn chores. There’s a slightly larger load of willow branches for the alpacas than usual. The humans’ gift packages include socks and beanies knitted from alpaca yarn. Olivia has felted alpaca-shaped gift decorations using gingerbread-cookie cutters.
For Christmas dinner, they visit Anu’s and Jari’s parents, where the Christmas gospel is read, as has always been done on the farm.
An alpaca thrives in a herd
These easygoing-looking animals were first domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. Alpacas generally don’t feel the urge to wander and stay within their area no matter the fence height. They need other alpacas so they can form a herd, which requires at least three animals. At Tourula farm, the alpacas have an unobstructed exit from their shelter, continual access to fresh water, and a steady feeding schedule. The Huacaya alpaca type does very well in Finland’s climate. Alpaca wool from Tourula farm is typically left in its natural shades of brown, black, white, or gray. The animals serve as both pets and wool providers. Often, alpacas also work as therapy animals or help with landscape management. You’ll find these mostly good-natured, fluffy creatures in many farm-stay destinations.
