Development Committee

The ARF Development Committee, the only standing committee of ARF, began its work early in 2001. The Committee was challenged by the ARF Board to develop a strategic plan for fundraising to benefit alpaca research. The ultimate goal is to provide the ARF with an endowment that will, if properly invested, yield an annual income substantial enough to fund on-going and important alpaca research. The formation of the ARF Development Committee is the first step toward the Board's goal of creating a self-sufficient alpaca research program.

The following alpaca breeders form the nucleus of the ARF Development Committee:

Ruthanne McCaslin, Chardon, Ohio. Ruthanne and her family own Promised Land Farm, where she has been raising alpacas for six years. She is also a small animal veterinarian, as is her husband, and has three teens to keep her busy. Ruthanne can be reached at blackalpaca@hotmail.com.

Kerry Anderson - Kerry and her husband Bob own A Star Alpacas and have been raising alpacas since 1997.  Since 1985, Kerry has worked as a program officer and a Trustee for the True North Foundation.  She is in charge of the foundation's environmental grant making.   Bob and Kerry now live in Grass Valley, California. - astaralpacas@aol.com

Peter Canning - Peter and his wife Nancy own Summit Suri Alpacas and have been raising suris for the past five years.  Although they have recently relocated to Indiana, they have chosen to agist their herd long-term in Colorado due to his travel schedule leading a research group for an animal health pharmaceutical company.  Peter can be reached at summitsuris@insightbb.com.

Tsulan Balka, Elizabeth, CO - Tsulan and her husband, Tom, established Lavender Fields Alpacas in 2002.  Tsulan's background as a women's health nurse practitioner carries over to the assessing the health of their herd.  She's passionate about alpacas and enjoys their individuality.  She serves Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies as a member of the Education Committee, assumes various show coordinator responsibilities, and is a member of the AOBA Affiliate Committee.  Tsulan may be reached at tsulan@lavenderfieldsalpacas.com.

Rachelle Black, Lebec, CA.  Rachelle Black and her family own Black Magic Alpaca Ranch in Lebec, CA.  In
business officially since 1999, Rachelle and her husband currently own 16 alpacas.  She is passionate about educating the public about alpacas and their husbandry, and is very proud to be serving on the ARF Development Committee.  She believes that the Alpaca Research Foundation is the most vital organization in the camelid industry. Rachelle can be reached at wyattblack@earthlink.net

Susan Forman, Washington Court House, OH --Susan and her husband bought their first alpacas in 2002 and established Dewey Morning Alpacas. Susan's background is in the social services, focusing on children and their needs. She has had a lifelong passion for animals and now plans to return their kindness through serving on the ARF Development Committee. She can be reached at susan@deweymorningalpacas.com

Lona Nelsen Frank - Lona, whose background was in a diverse corporate world and her engineering husband, John, have owned and operated ALPACAS of Tualatin Valley, LLC since 1988. Lona's interest in raising alpacas for the last 18 years has been focused toward nutrition and medicine. Lona may be reached at LFrank@AlpacaTV.com

ARF Board Liaisons

Pat Long, Corvallis, Oregon. - Pat is veterinarian with a mixed animal practice, more than half of which is llamas and alpacas. He is co-author of Llama and Alpaca Neonatal Care (1996) and has provided training to many alpaca breeders through neonatal clinics. Pat sits on the ARF Board and is Board liaison to the Development Committee. Pat can be reached at lama_dr@msn.com.

Pat Craven, Creekside, PA.  Pat can be reached at alpacone@hughes.net