Hi, I'm Debbie Wambaugh. My husband, Tony, and I are new to alpacas. In 2020, we retired from our jobs in Northern Virginia to purchase our 1st 6 alpacas and start Meepah Ventures LLC, becoming the 6th generation on the family farm. Even though I grew up on a working farm, transitioning from my 40 + year career in quality, most recently as an executive at a company making aircraft electrical galley appliances, to being an alpaca farmer has been joyfully challenging. I have a BS in Quality Engineering and an MBA. The alpacas don't care. My husband and I have learned so much over the past 2 years and still have so much to learn about alpacas. If elected to the PAOBA Board, I bring the recent experience of establishing a new business, the lessons learned, the questions unanswered, drive for sucess, a cooperative attitude and above all, love of alpacas.
DJ Penica
9 Stillmeadows Lane
Enola, PA 17025
717-440-1058
Mamadj07@gmail.com
I graduated from HACC 2013 with an associate in science and passed a physics, abdominal and OBGYN boards to become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
I left the medical field to get my real estate license, which gave me more time to raise my three kids. I used my real estate license and background, to not only have more time for my family, but to help make our dream of owning a small farm a reality. In the Summer of 2016 I identified and purchased 10 acres in Carlisle Pennsylvania and our farm Walnut Ridge Acres was born.
My focus since 2016 has been divided on family, farm set-up (including gaining knowledge in all things alpaca) and helping my husband Jay run his business.
Professionally, I am currently responsible for an award-winning financial services practice’s back-office duties including payroll, taxes, health insurance, group benefits, and business insurance. I am also responsible for each advisors licensing and compliance requirements.
In 2014 we bought our first alpaca and since then we have grown our herd to 20. My job duties require me to be precise and attentive to detail. My alpaca life requires the same but provides me with a sense of peace and excitement that only raising such a beautiful animal can provide.
This past year, we moved to a larger property in Enola, as our growing herd required more space. This was a bit of a challenge, and our lives were quite crazy at times, but it was well worth the stress to watch my beautiful herd graze on larger pastures and relax in a larger barn.
Along with serving as treasurer on Paoba’s Board of Directors, earlier this year, I was honored with the opportunity to serve on the AOA Show Rules Committee. I enjoy serving with a diverse and creative group of alpaca enthusiasts. I’m learning a lot and look forward to being a part of critical discussion and decision making centered around our show rules and show system.
Please accept this as my bio. As I adore the opportunities raising alpaca have provided for myself and my family, I would enjoy and embrace the chance to share this excitement with others by being selected for a second term as a Paoba board member.
Warmly,
DJ
9 Stillmeadows Lane
Enola, PA 17025
717-440-1058
Mamadj07@gmail.com
I graduated from HACC 2013 with an associate in science and passed a physics, abdominal and OBGYN boards to become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
I left the medical field to get my real estate license, which gave me more time to raise my three kids. I used my real estate license and background, to not only have more time for my family, but to help make our dream of owning a small farm a reality. In the Summer of 2016 I identified and purchased 10 acres in Carlisle Pennsylvania and our farm Walnut Ridge Acres was born.
My focus since 2016 has been divided on family, farm set-up (including gaining knowledge in all things alpaca) and helping my husband Jay run his business.
Professionally, I am currently responsible for an award-winning financial services practice’s back-office duties including payroll, taxes, health insurance, group benefits, and business insurance. I am also responsible for each advisors licensing and compliance requirements.
In 2014 we bought our first alpaca and since then we have grown our herd to 20. My job duties require me to be precise and attentive to detail. My alpaca life requires the same but provides me with a sense of peace and excitement that only raising such a beautiful animal can provide.
This past year, we moved to a larger property in Enola, as our growing herd required more space. This was a bit of a challenge, and our lives were quite crazy at times, but it was well worth the stress to watch my beautiful herd graze on larger pastures and relax in a larger barn.
Along with serving as treasurer on Paoba’s Board of Directors, earlier this year, I was honored with the opportunity to serve on the AOA Show Rules Committee. I enjoy serving with a diverse and creative group of alpaca enthusiasts. I’m learning a lot and look forward to being a part of critical discussion and decision making centered around our show rules and show system.
Please accept this as my bio. As I adore the opportunities raising alpaca have provided for myself and my family, I would enjoy and embrace the chance to share this excitement with others by being selected for a second term as a Paoba board member.
Warmly,
DJ
Hi,
I’m Julie Wysong and I’m running for the PAOBA Board of Directors.
PAOBA is a great organization. It has helped Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch become the full service alpaca ranch we are today. We are so fortunate to be part of this exciting association from the onset of our alpaca ownership.
Back when David and I started our alpaca business it seemed that everyone was on the same learning curve. We were all beginning alpaca farms and the information was shared as a community. We had the leaders in the industry helping us to gain the knowledge needed to make the best practices in the industry. It was learning nutrition and field management from Dr Evans, Neonatal clinics given by Dr La Ru Johnson. Julie Wassom educated us about marketing and openherd was introduced to us through the efforts of PAOBA. Wini Labrecque showed us hands on how to skirt our fleeces and Marty McGee Bennett taught us how to handle our alpacas. There are so many more industry leaders we were introduced to through PAOBA. All these wonderful educational opportunities were presented to us through our membership.
The PAOBA programs have been very beneficial to the growth of our alpaca business and because of the knowledge gained from these experiences it gives me reason to want to give back to the alpaca community.
I have been an alpaca owner since 2004 along with my loving husband David. We own Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch, The Alpaca Gift Shop and The Alpaca Learning Studio, located in Adams County near Gettysburg, PA.
We have been PAOBA members since the beginning of our alpaca ownership. We continue to grow in our knowledge of alpacas, thanks to being able to participate in the PAOBA volunteer programs.
There are many directions to go on your journey with alpacas, from back yard enthusiasts to sending show winning alpacas to other countries.
As a public school educator, with a Master’s Degree, I believe in being a lifelong learner. Once retired from public education I turned to devote more energy to the ranch and our alpaca business. The Alpaca Gift, offering alpaca fiber products for sale and then to teach others how to use the luxurious alpaca fiber through classes taught at our Alpaca Learning Studio.
Reaching out to share with others about alpacas and their fiber has been my passion. As a board member I will bring my skills and offer them to the alpaca community to continue this great tradition of PAOBA.
I’m Julie Wysong and I’m running for the PAOBA Board of Directors.
PAOBA is a great organization. It has helped Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch become the full service alpaca ranch we are today. We are so fortunate to be part of this exciting association from the onset of our alpaca ownership.
Back when David and I started our alpaca business it seemed that everyone was on the same learning curve. We were all beginning alpaca farms and the information was shared as a community. We had the leaders in the industry helping us to gain the knowledge needed to make the best practices in the industry. It was learning nutrition and field management from Dr Evans, Neonatal clinics given by Dr La Ru Johnson. Julie Wassom educated us about marketing and openherd was introduced to us through the efforts of PAOBA. Wini Labrecque showed us hands on how to skirt our fleeces and Marty McGee Bennett taught us how to handle our alpacas. There are so many more industry leaders we were introduced to through PAOBA. All these wonderful educational opportunities were presented to us through our membership.
The PAOBA programs have been very beneficial to the growth of our alpaca business and because of the knowledge gained from these experiences it gives me reason to want to give back to the alpaca community.
I have been an alpaca owner since 2004 along with my loving husband David. We own Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch, The Alpaca Gift Shop and The Alpaca Learning Studio, located in Adams County near Gettysburg, PA.
We have been PAOBA members since the beginning of our alpaca ownership. We continue to grow in our knowledge of alpacas, thanks to being able to participate in the PAOBA volunteer programs.
There are many directions to go on your journey with alpacas, from back yard enthusiasts to sending show winning alpacas to other countries.
As a public school educator, with a Master’s Degree, I believe in being a lifelong learner. Once retired from public education I turned to devote more energy to the ranch and our alpaca business. The Alpaca Gift, offering alpaca fiber products for sale and then to teach others how to use the luxurious alpaca fiber through classes taught at our Alpaca Learning Studio.
Reaching out to share with others about alpacas and their fiber has been my passion. As a board member I will bring my skills and offer them to the alpaca community to continue this great tradition of PAOBA.
Please accept this letter as my application for a seat on the executive board of the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association.
My husband and I own Dark Rose Alpacas located in Slippery Rock, PA. We visited Highland Alpacas with our children many times as the owners were friends. We began our own adventure in 2013 when we became aware of a young male that needed a home. We have added to and improved our herd over the past years.
I have been a member of PAOBA since 2017 and helped with the volunteer committee for the MA & PA Pronk last year. I have also volunteered with the group at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. As a member of MAPACA, I have facilitated the youth program for that group during the last five years. I also donate items for silent and live auctions.
I have learned so much from the members of PAOBA in improving my animals and wish to continue to help promote excellence in the alpaca industry.
Yours truly,
Karen Bowman
My husband and I own Dark Rose Alpacas located in Slippery Rock, PA. We visited Highland Alpacas with our children many times as the owners were friends. We began our own adventure in 2013 when we became aware of a young male that needed a home. We have added to and improved our herd over the past years.
I have been a member of PAOBA since 2017 and helped with the volunteer committee for the MA & PA Pronk last year. I have also volunteered with the group at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. As a member of MAPACA, I have facilitated the youth program for that group during the last five years. I also donate items for silent and live auctions.
I have learned so much from the members of PAOBA in improving my animals and wish to continue to help promote excellence in the alpaca industry.
Yours truly,
Karen Bowman
My name is Diane Sheesley. My husband , Charles, and I own Rainbow Mountain Alpacas. I have been on the BOD for 5 years. 3 as President. I have had an interesting and challenging time as President. I will be running again this year for the PAOBA BOD. As we move toward the future of alpacas, I am working on finding a venue that we will be able to rent for the next 5 years to make our Showcase an event that everyone wants to attend.
We started our alpaca adventure in 2005. We had bought a run down farm and decided that we needed to add some livestock to the barn. I had looked at alpacas long ago and wanted to buy 2 alpacas for my granddaughter, (she was 6 months old at the time). This idea quickly moved from a hobby to a full blown alpaca farm. We wanted our family involved in the business with us. Our daughter, Rachel and her husband, Eric have helped manage the farm and outside activities from the beginning. We have met the greatest people in the industry and experienced many interesting experiences along the way.
In my personal life, I have worked in the nursing field as we were raising our children. I have worked in a large city hospital, nursing homes and medical offices as nursing personnel. This knowledge has helped our farm many times. I’ve also been mentoring other farms along the way. My specialty with alpacas starts with preventative healthcare with our herd.
Alpaca farming has been a huge life change and a wonderful experience. I became involved in the PAOBA organization many years ago and have seen the forward and positive thinking of the members of PAOBA. From the Yarn project to the farm show and Breeder’s Showcase, all of these events are treated with professionalism and organization by the members.
I currently serve on the fiber committee and the membership committee. My husband and I volunteer and enjoy many of the PAOBA activities. PAOBA has been very beneficial to our farming business. It is a great help with advertising and farm planning.
We started our alpaca adventure in 2005. We had bought a run down farm and decided that we needed to add some livestock to the barn. I had looked at alpacas long ago and wanted to buy 2 alpacas for my granddaughter, (she was 6 months old at the time). This idea quickly moved from a hobby to a full blown alpaca farm. We wanted our family involved in the business with us. Our daughter, Rachel and her husband, Eric have helped manage the farm and outside activities from the beginning. We have met the greatest people in the industry and experienced many interesting experiences along the way.
In my personal life, I have worked in the nursing field as we were raising our children. I have worked in a large city hospital, nursing homes and medical offices as nursing personnel. This knowledge has helped our farm many times. I’ve also been mentoring other farms along the way. My specialty with alpacas starts with preventative healthcare with our herd.
Alpaca farming has been a huge life change and a wonderful experience. I became involved in the PAOBA organization many years ago and have seen the forward and positive thinking of the members of PAOBA. From the Yarn project to the farm show and Breeder’s Showcase, all of these events are treated with professionalism and organization by the members.
I currently serve on the fiber committee and the membership committee. My husband and I volunteer and enjoy many of the PAOBA activities. PAOBA has been very beneficial to our farming business. It is a great help with advertising and farm planning.
Hi, I’m Tina Weston and I am running for the PAOBA Board of Directors. I have been a member of PAOBA since moving to PA in 2004. I served as Vice President and President of this wonderful organization 2005- 2008. I have been a part of and seen much growth in the organization over the years.
Doug and I purchased our first 5 alpacas in March of 2003 and Forest Glen Alpacas was born. We lived in New York at the time on 8 acres. We had 2 small children and I was looking at the prospect of having to go back to work full time. While I loved my job as a licensed vet technician, I did not want my kids in day care. My husband saw a commercial on tv advertising the alpaca lifestyle, call 1 800.... He did and told me this might be just what we need. On March 17, 2003 we purchased 5 alpacas. He was right, this was just the answer I was looking for to be able to financially contribute to the household budget and stay home with the kids. In 2005 we moved to PA. We bought a 143 acre farm that would more than support our growing farm. I started doing craft fairs and educating the public about alpacas. I got involved in PAOBA and the Breeders Showcase. By 2013 we had over 75 alpacas. But as you all know, we all get older. My children grew up and went onto college and my husband found he wanted to work more off of the farm. I could not sustain caring for such a large herd and doing 20 some odd craft fairs a year. So, I downsized the herd, and cut down on my showing of the animals, and went full speed into the end product. I took on bigger and more lucrative craft fairs and festivals.
Then 2020 hit. I had to redirect again in order to save my business, since everything shut down. I joined a CoOp and we rent a space at the Cranberry Mall. I moved my gift shop off the farm to that CoOp. It saved my business. Today, I have a small shop on the farm but the bulk of my gift shop is at the mall. I currently own 35 alpacas and do about 10 craft fairs and festivals a year.
I believe I can bring new ideas to PAOBA to that will continue to make it one of the top alpaca affiliates in the industry.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve PAOBA again if you should have me. I believe having a strong state affiliate helps all of us and brings new farms much needed knowledge.
Sincerely,
Tina
Doug and I purchased our first 5 alpacas in March of 2003 and Forest Glen Alpacas was born. We lived in New York at the time on 8 acres. We had 2 small children and I was looking at the prospect of having to go back to work full time. While I loved my job as a licensed vet technician, I did not want my kids in day care. My husband saw a commercial on tv advertising the alpaca lifestyle, call 1 800.... He did and told me this might be just what we need. On March 17, 2003 we purchased 5 alpacas. He was right, this was just the answer I was looking for to be able to financially contribute to the household budget and stay home with the kids. In 2005 we moved to PA. We bought a 143 acre farm that would more than support our growing farm. I started doing craft fairs and educating the public about alpacas. I got involved in PAOBA and the Breeders Showcase. By 2013 we had over 75 alpacas. But as you all know, we all get older. My children grew up and went onto college and my husband found he wanted to work more off of the farm. I could not sustain caring for such a large herd and doing 20 some odd craft fairs a year. So, I downsized the herd, and cut down on my showing of the animals, and went full speed into the end product. I took on bigger and more lucrative craft fairs and festivals.
Then 2020 hit. I had to redirect again in order to save my business, since everything shut down. I joined a CoOp and we rent a space at the Cranberry Mall. I moved my gift shop off the farm to that CoOp. It saved my business. Today, I have a small shop on the farm but the bulk of my gift shop is at the mall. I currently own 35 alpacas and do about 10 craft fairs and festivals a year.
I believe I can bring new ideas to PAOBA to that will continue to make it one of the top alpaca affiliates in the industry.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve PAOBA again if you should have me. I believe having a strong state affiliate helps all of us and brings new farms much needed knowledge.
Sincerely,
Tina