MUDDY VALLEY FARM

Just 30 minutes from the spectacular Pacific Coast of Oregon. One hour and 15 minutes south of the cultural delights of down town Portland . Smack in the middle of the heart of America ’s best pinot noir and gris, Muddy Valley farm was a blessing.

And if it were not for the unselfishness of previous owners Chuck and Carlene Kaddell, and their jovial realtor Barry House, the development of this farm project may never have happened.

Jude and Alan discovered this pristine piece of agriculture on the web. The web listing reminded Al of so many alpaca listings on the web. Not much info, nearly always stale. Bad presentation with lousy navigation and downloading!!! Always trying to defy the trend Jude and Al visited the next day with reserved expectations, so on a hunch they investigated. Well, they were not even up the driveway before they were on the farm to Barry House, the realtor. An offer was made. Damn if there were not already 5 pending offers! All better than Pucara’s.

“Well, can we meet the owners,” asks Al. The meeting was arranged and after two hours their offer was accepted because the sellers had found someone to carry on the farming legacy of their land. They trusted the farming pedigree of Al and Jude who knew mutual “ Angus “ breeder/friends in Australia where the Kaddells had visited. Alan and Jude knew they had new friends with the Kaddells and maybe eventually a farm if someone in America would extend them credit!!!!!

Well, it does not help to be an “alien non immigrant “ in the US no matter how impeccable your Australian credit. But seven extensions later and a local ag. lender who the Kaddell’s had borrowed from, came to the rescue. It was harrowing at times but a commitment to get their US project off the ground on a farm that offered everything they could ever want, was motivation enough to endure and to get it done.

The 103 acre Muddy Valley Farm had everything to begin with. A gorgeous vista of the surrounding vineyards on the verdant rolling hills of the Willamet te valley. Herds of elk regularly passing through. Flocks of Canadian Geese swarming through on migration, often nesting on the Bass filled ponds on the farm. And the farm offered everything a farmer needed. Fencing intact, huge black topped barns and workshop. Vet rooms, machinery sheds, loafing areas, irrigated fields and all the machinery to work the land. Most importantly the farm was immaculately kept by the fastidious Chuck Kaddell. The soil was wealthy in nutrients. Perfectly balanced ph. Rich in organic matter. The pasture was thick with a good variety of grasses, a nice mix of clover and little weed. Everything was well tenderd and neat. And even Old C.J., the farm cattle dog, came with the property. Of course, CJ was an Australian Cattle Dog, a Blue Heeler. He basically runs the farm!

After farming alpacas in Australia in low rainfall on sparse vegetation Al and Jude understood the value of agricultural production. The beauty of offering lush well balanced pasture that truly provides the nutrients for an alpaca to reach what its genetics potentially give. There will not be any starvation fineness at Pucara Internationals’s McvMinnville property! Muddy Valley Farm can afford the value of every animal getting a chance to reach its genetic potential from fresh natural grasses than via dry feed lotting or too much supplementation. Because as Jude says, “ how do you know if your animals are carrying fine fiber genes unless they are tested in good pasture. If they stay fine in that situation you know they carry fine genetics.”

The beauty of Muddy Valley Farm which sits in a sheltered valley in a temperate climate, with warm dry summers and long damp winters is that more than 200 alpacas can be housed in the extensive barns and loafing areas if any harsh weather does arrive. However it rarely snows, although the local hill tops have a smattering of snow most of the winter. The confines of the narrow valley also offers shelter from the coastal storms. All in all this farm is an alpaca paradise!

One hour from Mt Hood or Voodoo Mountain for skiing. A short drive to the salmon rich waters of the Willamette river. Thirty minutes to the pristine beaches of the Pacific Surf Coast . Surrounded by the Coastal ranges, this locale offers something for everyone. For Jude and Alan its mountain biking the nearby single tracks, paddling their Hawaaiin canoes on the coastal inlets or windsurfing and kite boarding the mammoth Columbia Gorge. Or, especially for Al surfing the wild and chilly waves of the Oregonian coast. There are hiking tracks all over. But the more sedentary might just like to partake in the local gourmet selections. Pinot Noir and Gris from the Maysara label, a whole minute minute drive from the farm. The Brigantine Monastery fudge, 10 minutes drive away, is worth travelling the world for! Berries, nuts, cheese, fresh salmon, elk, organic beef, lamb and vegetables. And finish it off with ice cream from the renown Tillamook ice creamery!!!!

So if you’re planning to visit Jude and Al and their alpacas pack your hiking boots and get prepared for something a little more than just an alpaca fiesta!