Black Barn Alpacas: Transforming Agriculture Through Sustainable Alpaca Farming and Agritourism

When Yussy and Travis McManus closed their construction company in 2020, they embarked on an unexpected journey that led to establishing Maryland's largest alpaca operation. Their venture, Black Barn Alpacas, has grown from a conversation about sustainable agriculture into a 50-acre agritourism destination that attracted over 20,000 visitors during its inaugural fall festival. The couple's decision to focus on alpacas was deliberate, driven by the animals' sustainable qualities and business potential after visiting several farms and meeting the animals personally.

The sustainability factor remains central to their operation, as alpacas produce hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and thermoregulating fiber while requiring fewer resources than traditional livestock. The farm's retail operation showcases this natural fiber transformed into various products, embracing the amazing properties that alpacas naturally provide. What began as a herd of 20 alpacas in Texas has expanded to 150 animals in Maryland, with the move motivated by animal welfare concerns due to Texas heat affecting their animals' wellbeing.

The farm has developed multiple revenue streams critical for agricultural survival, offering diverse experiences for students, families, and corporate groups. Educational programs address modern challenges, with nearly 39% of teens reporting anxiety from social media and half of Gen Z students feeling disengaged in school. The farm tours combine math, science, and sustainability into hands-on activities, while younger children build confidence through interactions with the animals. According to educational experts, alpaca encounters serve as powerful tools for social-emotional learning and support programs like PATHS® (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies), fostering emotional literacy and social competence.

Seasonal events including "Fall 'Ag'tivities," "Easter Egg'stravaganza," and "Fleece Navidad" complement summer camps, shearing demonstrations, and wellness experiences designed to reduce stress through alpaca interactions. The farm has become a destination for corporate retreats, book clubs, and special events, with outdoor team activities improving communication and collaboration. September and October represent the peak season, featuring comprehensive experiences that include alpaca feeding, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and access to the farm's retail shop featuring alpaca products.

Community integration remains a priority, with the farm sourcing pumpkins from local young farmers, partnering with area wellness instructors, and working with local businesses for merchandise. The operation participates in the Carroll County Agritourism passport program, encouraging regional farm exploration. Beyond immediate business success, each visitor interaction serves a larger purpose toward transforming American agriculture. The McManus' vision challenges how critics view alpaca farming, particularly addressing PETA's campaign against alpaca shearing following their 2020 investigation at a Peruvian facility.

Veterinary expertise confirms the medical necessity of annual shearing, as Dr. Michelle Ing, a veterinarian specializing in alpaca care for 22 years, explains that unshorn alpacas can suffer from life-threatening heat stress and other health complications. The conversation often overlooks that synthetic fabrics contribute to microplastic pollution affecting marine life, making natural fibers like alpaca a more sustainable choice. The environmental impact of alpaca farming represents one of the most sustainable agricultural forms available, requiring less water, land, and energy than traditional livestock while being carbon-neutral.

The broader vision encompasses creating an American manufacturing renaissance for alpaca products, currently processed primarily in Peru and Bolivia. The McManus' envision a network of small alpaca farms across America contributing to a domestic industry prioritizing sustainability, ethics, and quality. Every visitor to Black Barn Alpacas becomes part of this educational mission, experiencing firsthand how gentle and sustainable alpaca farming can operate while understanding the environmental benefits. The farm serves as a living example of a new agricultural model where business success, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility become mutually reinforcing components of sustainable American agriculture.