The talk of the town - AFCNA is working! One of our biggest challenges is communication. I am on the inside and you are on the outside wondering what is going on inside AFCNA. We try hard to communicate with email blasts, member website postings, articles, talks, replies to email inquiries and messages like this one. Transparency does not happen by itself.

Our below Breaking News will help you see our successes as we pass one mile stone after another. Thank you for looking! More and more people are seeing inside and liking what they see.

At a recent alpaca function, an alpaca breeder told me he has been hearing a lot of good things about AFCNA. Several weeks ago, I received an email compliment about an AFCNA development: "This is just so exciting that I can't stand it! But, I'll manage." When I showed our first 100% North American alpaca throw to a friend who imports alpaca products from Peru, he exclaimed it was fabulous!

A professor at a well-known U.S. textile college shared with me his conclusion after investigating fiber prospects for the U.S. alpaca industry. He concluded that the most viable method of generating income for farmers from their alpaca fiber is using the cooperative business model to bringing alpaca products to market. He feels AFCNA, as a cooperative, allows alpaca farmers to have more clout in the U.S. textile industry and market.

To join the nearly 1,200 members already part of the AFCNA North American alpaca fiber adventure, go to www.afcna.com and click on "Join AFCNA". There is strength in numbers! Together we can make fiber a meaningful income generator for alpaca farmers. Thank you for believing in us.

Daryl W. Goodrich
President
Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America, Inc.

AFCNA Breaking News

• 2006 AFCNA National Fleece Show held 8/5 & 6 in Las Vegas, NV was a success. 410 fleeces were entered. It was also a great success for the alpaca industry because all farms regardless of size or ability to travel could receive AOBA - Certified Judge feedback on their breeding program with its "mail-in" or "come to the show" options. This unique show and its free show DVD for all participants underscore the important and fun role fiber plays in the alpaca adventure. The AFCNA Board thanks the AOBA Board, the show judges, superintendent and seminar presenters, the participating farms, the many volunteers and Robin Gilmore Events, LLC for their help to make this show happen and be such a success!
• AFCNA's all-new store website at AmericasAlpaca.com and new Affiliate Program have been operating since early August. The Affiliate Program was developed to enable members without farm stores to nevertheless participate in the substantial profit opportunity of selling alpaca products. Now members can have a store on their farm website that links to AFCNA's online store. When a retail order is placed through a farm website store, AFCNA will do the order filling and payment collection. The order-generating farm will then receive a 20% sales commission on the retail sale. This Affiliate Program benefits AFCNA and its members with not only another sale but also a large sales force.
• 7% membership increase this year brings AFCNA's member count close to 1,200. AFCNA focuses on building a large volume commercial and consumer North American alpaca fiber industry and market for all grades of member alpaca fleece. If you wish to support this initiative, join AFCNA at "Join AFCNA" in the left hand menu at www.afcna.com. There is strength in numbers!
• AFCNA Update Seminar and a vendor booth will be held by AFCNA at Fiber to Fashion 2006 in Reno, NV this November.
• A 52" X 72" 100% alpaca throw joins the pure alpaca hand knitting yarn and perennial favorite Extreme Alpaca and slipper socks in AFCNA's member fiber sourced product line at www.americasalapca.com. Our wide selection of Peruvian sourced Designer Lines will also brighten Holiday shopping. In addition, alpaca teddy bears and a number of unique apparel, accessory and homewear items can fill your shopping cart.
• A pilot regional collection site is planned for the 2007's clip collection. This is the first step toward AFCNA's regional collection system goal. All member submitted fiber is now collected at AFCNA's sorting site - Tapedes de Lana - in Mora, New Mexico. AFCNA believes a regional collection system will be more efficient for members.