Down on the alpaca farm
It's a woolly endeavor
![A wooly endeavor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MssZxFymSZQxoyEUKXJEw9-415-80.jpg)
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(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante) Vella-Gatt moved from London to Benfeita in 2009, determined to open an alpaca-rearing farm offering both treks for visitors and crafting workshops — featuring alpaca wool, of course. Monte Frio Alpacas now produces more than 100 pounds of wool annually, which Vella-Gatt and her visitors work into traditional homespuns.Below, images of the farmer and her charges.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xqj9XxUqUC4X7tRGmwNzpZ-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu3pyW67DaKFNvxbBERJ4L-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/937TVyszq6kRF2En2KNF7L-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MmnYnAwUvArb4c2wmFZQRT-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ftoCq3d3FF3jGK5rXtUcG7-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xxbCknBHEYBcor8i6CVVT8-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NxoG6DVXETddXbmUpUx5Yj-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3cQj29cNeLmDQ5reEHUqFi-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tAyydKBXyPGwYYkJyPCswS-415-80.jpg)
(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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