It’s about 3,600 miles from the rugged mountains of Peru to the sandstone bluffs of Coronado Heights and the Ebling Farm near Lindsborg. Despite the distance, the two dozen alpacas seem to feel right at home in the Smoky Valley.

Jennifer Ebling began the small herd at the urging of her late father Kent as a gentle animal to raise and enjoy. The species is closely related to the llama and originated in South America.

Shearing day brought family, friends and neighbors to the Ebling place to lend a hand in the annual harvest of alpaca fiber. Their soft fleece is made up of hollow fibers and is sold for making sweaters, hats and mittens.

From left: Trey Bowron and Brent Winslow are a traveling shearing team from Minnesota who use precision and gentleness to harvest the fiber for market.

Jennifer has also come up with a number of non-clothing items that are sold in Lindsborg. Shoppers can find bird nesting balls, dryer balls, cat toys and alpaca tea bags (to help feed potted plants) at Collections & Essentials, located at 110 S Main Street in Lindsborg.