Published January 3rd, 2025
Durrant Farms Newsletter
Happy New Year!
New Year, New Goals, and a Whole Herd of Happiness!
As 2024 winds down, we’ve been reflecting on the incredible year we’ve had here at Durrant Farms. It’s been a year full of highs, lows, and unexpected turns, each moment shaping our journey in its own way. From the sweet and peaceful moments spent with our alpacas to the challenges that tested our resilience, we’ve learned and grown so much. Through it all, one thing remains clear: we are deeply grateful to have you as part of our farm family. Your support, kindness, and shared love for the farm have made this year even more meaningful, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey with you in 2025.
Let’s start with the fun stuff, shall we?
- Our First Garden: This year, we took the plunge and planted our very first garden on the farm. It’s been such a joy to watch it grow, from the first sprouts to a full-fledged veggie paradise. We’re especially proud of our cucumbers, Carolina reaper peppers, beans, herbs, and tomatoes! We’ve loved sharing it with our guests and employees—nothing beats fresh, homegrown goodness.
- Shearing Day & Fiber Magic: We hosted our first official shearing day with our herd, and it was a huge success! We even had our fiber processed into some gorgeous alpaca products. Some products including our dryer balls and felted coasters are available in our farm store now. As for the yarn– stay tuned and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready for sale!
- July: A Record-Breaking Month: July was huge for us—our most successful month ever in terms of both business and bookings. We were thrilled to welcome so many guests in the AirBnb and for all the alpaca experiences we got to host! We can’t thank you enough for your support and for spreading the word about what we do here.
- The Arrival of Our Newest Farmer: This year, we were thrilled to welcome a new little one into our family. Our son, Dean, arrived in September, bringing so much joy and excitement to the farm. We’re already imagining the day when he’ll be running around with the alpacas and hopefully not getting into too many spit contests with Micah.
- New Property, Big Dreams: We purchased a new property this year! This beautiful space will allow us to grow in ways we’ve only dreamed of before. With more room for our animals, guests, and future projects, we’re excited about all the possibilities ahead. We can’t wait to start bringing some of these ideas to life and share them with you in 2025 and beyond!
The Lows:
As much as we’ve had exciting wins this year, there were also some challenges. The most heartbreaking of all was the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Like so many in Western North Carolina, we faced the aftermath of flooding, damage, and loss. It has been a time of immense grief, as our community struggles to recover.
We want to acknowledge the incredible resilience we’ve seen from our neighbors and fellow farmers. As we rebuild, we are reminded of the strength and determination that comes from being a part of this community. To everyone affected by the storm, know that our hearts are with you, and we’re here to support one another as we heal.
If you are curious about ways you can help, donations and volunteer efforts are the most valuable at this time. One organization that has really stepped up to assist in recovery efforts is BeLoved Asheville. They have been doing on-the-ground work since the beginning and have helped so many people—from those who lost a little to those who lost everything. Check out their website for ways your can help!
Looking Ahead:
A New Name for a New Chapter: In 2025, we’re thrilled to unveil our farm’s new name: Durrant Farms Estate! With our new property and expanded plans for the future, this new name reflects the vision we have for the farm as we continue to grow and welcome more visitors. We can’t wait to share all the exciting developments in the coming year!
We are now accepting event and wedding inquiries. Don’t hesitate to reach out if the Durrant Farms Estate is where you would like to host your next event.
In the meantime, we’re still welcoming guests to stay at our cozy Airbnb at the old farm location. Come on out and get cuddly with the boys this winter and experience our sauna and cold plunge all to yourself.
In other news, our new cottage at Durrant Farms Estate is almost ready! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home features gorgeous views of the pasture and pond, and we’re so excited for you to stay in this peaceful retreat. Stay tuned for more details on booking your stay!
2025: A Year of Fiber-tastic Resolutions
You didn’t think we’d forget about our lovable herd, did you? They’ve been reflecting on the last year and coming up with resolutions for this new chapter. Here’s what they’re hoping to accomplish in 2025:
Ralph: Less treats! Ralph wants to work on his figure and this year, he’s going for fluffy-chic. We hear ya Ralph– more hay, fewer snacks!
Scully: Spend more quality time with Heartbreaker. You two have quite the bromance going on—let’s make sure we don’t interrupt it too much.
Hotline: Stop getting spit on by Micah. We’re all in favor of peaceful co-existence, Hotline!
Micah: Stop spitting so much. (Yes, we know this is a challenge, but we’re rooting for you, buddy.)
Heartbreaker: Spend less time with Scully. As much as he loves his bromance with Scully, we think Heartbreaker’s trying to branch out this year.
Brinkley: Work on people skills. The shy routine is cute, but Brinkley, we know you’ve got it in you to be the social butterfly we all know you can be.
A Creative Start to 2025: Needle Felting Kits for Your New Year’s Crafting Goals!
Product Feature:
Looking for a fun, crafty project to kick off the new year? We’ve got you covered! Our needle felting kits make the perfect DIY project for anyone looking to get creative. Available in a variety of sizes and fun patterns—whether you’re into llamas, mountain sunsets, or succulents—we have something for every skill level. Choose from beginner-friendly kits or ones that challenge your crafting skills a bit more. These are perfect for a cozy afternoon indoors!
That’s all for now. We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings. Thank you for being part of this wild and wonderful journey with us. If you know anyone that might enjoy updates from our farm, forward them this message or send them directly to our newsletter signup link!
From our family (and our herd) to yours—here’s to new beginnings, new growth, and, of course, more alpaca love in the year ahead!
Whitney and Tom Durrant
p: 828-539-0689
w: durrantfarms.com
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