Welcome to Stewart Heritage Farm
Located in Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina, Stewart Heritage Farm is an alpaca farm and fiber business built around a lifelong love of farm life, these remarkable animals, and the beautiful natural fiber they produce.
My journey has taken me from Ohio to Tennessee and now to South Carolina, with alpacas along for the ride. Today, I'm settling into a new chapter on 52 acres of pasture, woods, and flowing creeks, where I'm continuing my fiber business and building a place to share my love of alpacas, natural fiber, and farm life.
Whether you're an experienced knitter, a fiber enthusiast, an alpaca lover, or simply curious about farm life, I'm glad you're here. I invite you to explore our story, meet our alpacas, discover our products, and follow along as we make this special place our home.
How It All Began
I think the dream of having a farm started when I was a young adult. I was fascinated by horses and even took riding lessons, imagining a future with a farm of my own, complete with horses, goats, chickens, and perhaps a few other animals.
Farming was also part of my family history. My maternal grandfather was a citrus farmer in Florida, and I have wonderful memories of his farm, including the large garden, pear trees, and even his worm and compost bin. On my dad's side, my grandparents also had a big garden and raised livestock, including chickens. Neither of my parents became farmers or gardeners, so I suppose that calling skipped a generation!
In 2003, I had the fortunate opportunity to be assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The following year, I purchased my first farm property in Xenia. I knew I wanted a place of my own, and I also realized that retiring farther north might become more difficult as I grew older.
My original plan was to wait until retirement to bring animals onto the property. Then I came across a picture of alpacas in a magazine. Curiosity led me to visit a few alpaca farms, and before the end of 2004, I had purchased my first two alpacas and one llama!
And just like that, my dream of having a farm took a very different direction. I had imagined horses, goats, and chickens, but once I discovered alpacas, I was hooked.
I was still serving in the Air Force, so there were times when the military took me away from the farm. During a deployment and my final assignment in the Washington, D.C., area, I boarded my alpacas at another farm. When I retired from the Air Force in 2008, I returned to Ohio and my farm, ready to devote more time to the animals and the life I had been building.
I added chickens, too, and continued learning about farm life, alpaca care, and the wonderful fiber these animals produce.
Over time, raising alpacas grew into a passion for working with their fiber. As someone who enjoys knitting and crochet, I love the possibilities that alpaca fiber offers, from soft, beautiful yarn to roving for spinners and other handmade creations.
What began with a picture in a magazine became a way of life—and eventually, Stewart Heritage Farm.
A New Chapter in South Carolina
After about 11 years on my farm in Ohio, I moved to Tennessee in November 2015. I spent the next decade there, continuing to raise alpacas and grow my fiber business.
In 2025, life brought another big change. I purchased a small transition property in South Carolina in May and moved there with my alpacas in September. A few months later, in December, I found and purchased the 52-acre property that would become the new home of Stewart Heritage Farm.
In February 2026, I moved onto the farm, ready to begin a new chapter in Gaffney, in the beautiful Upstate region of South Carolina. With its pastures, woods, creeks, and rich local history, this property has quickly become much more than a place to raise alpacas. It is a place where I hope to build something meaningful for the future while honoring the land's past.
The move to South Carolina was another reminder that life doesn't always follow the path we imagine. I never expected to live in Ohio, Tennessee, or South Carolina when I first dreamed of having a farm. Yet each place became part of my story, and each move brought new experiences and opportunities.
Having my mother with me and my sister living about an hour away in the Charlotte area makes this chapter especially meaningful. Family has been an important part of the journey, and I'm grateful to be closer to loved ones.
Most of all, I feel blessed to be here. My faith is an important part of my life, and I believe God has guided me through each chapter. I couldn't have planned every twist and turn myself, but looking back, I can see how the pieces have come together.
Our Alpacas and Their Fiber
Of course, the alpacas are at the heart of Stewart Heritage Farm!
These gentle, curious animals are a joy to raise, each with a personality of its own. After more than 20 years with alpacas, I'm still fascinated by them and by the beautiful fiber they grow.
Alpaca fiber is prized for its softness, warmth, and versatility. It can be transformed into yarn for knitting and crochet, roving for spinning, and other wonderful fiber products. Working with alpaca fiber allows me to bringtogether two things I love: raising these special animals and creating opportunities for others to enjoy their fiber.
My goal is to offer products that let you experience some of the qualities that make alpaca fiber so special, whether you're a knitter looking for your next project, a spinner searching for beautiful roving, or someone who simply appreciates natural fibers.
I'd also love for you to get to know the animals behind the fiber. Each alpaca is an individual, and their personalities and stories are part of what makes this farm special.
More Than a Farm Shop
Stewart Heritage Farm is more than a place to buy yarn or other alpaca products. It's a working farm, a home for my alpacas, and a place where I hope to share my enthusiasm for these animals, natural fiber, and the experience of farm life.
As the farm continues to develop, I'm working toward making it a welcoming destination for visitors who want to learn more about alpacas and discover the products made from their fiber.
My plans include opportunities to visit the farm, meet the alpacas, and learn more about them. I also hope to offer educational information that helps visitors understand these fascinating animals and the fiber they produce.
Whether you're visiting the farm shop, meeting the alpacas, shopping for a special gift, or exploring the world of natural fiber, I want you to feel welcome.
The farm is still growing and evolving, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.
