The Industry is changing…. To everything there is a season....

Or are we out of our “Cotton Picking Minds?"

Written by CIABA co-founders Val Newell and Robin Alpert

There is a lot of “talk” going on about alpaca fiber all over the country. Things are moving and shaking! It is probably one of the most exciting and pivotal times to be part of the alpaca industry because the focus of the alpaca industry is finally shifting and being steered toward a fiber industry.  A large group of producers were invited and came together on November 18^th at the AOBA office in Tennessee, and via a Webinar.  The meeting was called “Build a Tent”. 

In essence, the group of producers agreed to come together as an industry and build a tent, or rather form an organization not run by AOBA, but made up of the collective of fiber producers. The structure of the organization has yet to be decided upon, but an L3C appears to be the choice.  Every producer has the opportunity to be a part of this organization by purchasing a share or shares of the organization, presently one share being 250.00.* Further, it was unanimously agreed that no matter how many shares a person or group bought, they have but one vote.** Now that is different!   The group agreed to form an organization to develop a standard for alpaca products being produced in this country, to brand alpaca for its properties, and to brand Alpaca through an identifying logo. The group preliminarily adopted the name Alpaca Alliance. Further this newly formed group agreed to hire Nick Hahn, the man behind the success of Cotton.  As you hear the word cotton, you are probably now singing “the fabric of our lives”…..

Yes this is truly a wonderful time to be part of the alpaca industry!

Some are wondering just what part CIABA has in this new plan. There seems to be some confusion as to what CIABA means by “Cottage Industry.”

The Alpaca Cottage Industry is:   Individuals working together to form alliances with others to produce products while retaining the right and freedom to produce individual and unique items from their own fiber production.

CIABA considers all farms to be a part of the Cottage Industry.  The industrial revolution started with the Cottage Industry. As smaller farms began to work together, things became more streamlined. People could still choose to make their own unique products, but could also participate in larger endeavors. This is CIABA’s vision. It is about working together for the good of the many which in turn usually makes things better for the individual also.

The co- founders of CIABA see the organization’s role as educators and facilitators.   One on one, farm to farm involvement to educate and help each farmer across the country get connected and learn how to produce fiber for different manufacturing specifications is essential for our industry to prosper. CIABA wants to help educate individual farms and groups of farms to understand changes in the industry, encourage all to learn industry standards and facilitate the bringing together of producers and manufacturers of goods.

We would also like to state that although CIABA has purchased a share, the organization respects and honors everyone’s right to make an individual decision to support or not support the Alpaca Alliance.

*If you are not able to come up with the $250 on you own, be creative.  Get together with another farm and split the cost.  This arrangement would probably only procure one vote, so be reasonably sure your partner farm agrees with your philosophy.

    **When there is profit, those who have more shares will get the profit share according to their number of shares, but will not have more voting power than those with only one share.