There’s a lot to see and do in Northeast Tennessee, and one of my favorite spots is Two Roots Alpaca Farm and Fiber Mill in Greeneville. I recently spent a morning feeding and petting the alpacas and seeing how their wool gets turned into yarn at the fiber mill. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect when you visit this family-friendly alpaca farm.

Arriving at Two Roots Alpacas Farm
Two Roots Alpaca Farm is in the perfect spot. Surrounded by rolling green meadows and with the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in the background, it’s super peaceful. The farm covers 137 acres, with 11 acres just for the alpacas. They’re all about sustainability—growing their own hay and even turning their alpaca fiber into yarn right there on the farm.
Feeding and Petting the Alpacas
Meeting the alpacas up close was hands-down the best part of the visit. These fluffy, gentle creatures were just as curious about us as we were about them—probably because they knew we had carrots in hand. After a quick lesson on feeding them (just hold the carrot flat on your palm), we were off to mingle with our new furry friends.
Some alpacas were a bit shy and cautious, while others were bold and, honestly, a little greedy. Feeding them was a slightly slobbery experience, but totally worth it! Everyone was grinning from ear to ear, having the time of their lives.
I met two adorable new arrivals during my visit: Lulu and Woodford. Ruth Anne told us that Woodford’s full name is Woodford on the Rocks—he was born during Kentucky Derby Weekend and has a gorgeous bourbon-colored coat. He’s so stinkin’ cute.
Being a cat lover, I was beyond excited when I met their incredibly cute farm cat. The little one immediately took a shine to me and jumped onto my back to curl up and settle in. It was such a sweet, unforgettable moment!
Learning about Alpacas
The alpacas at Two Roots Alpacas Farm are huacaya alpacas, but there are two main types: suri and huacaya. Suri alpacas have long fleece that often resembles dreadlocks, while huacayas sport fluffy, soft coats that resemble teddy bear fur.
We also learned a lot about alpaca care during our visit, starting with how important it is for them to be in a herd. These social creatures really thrive when they have company. When it comes to nutrition, Two Roots takes it seriously. They collaborate with UT Extension to test their hay after the first cutting, ensuring it meets top-quality standards. The alpacas mainly eat orchard grass, with a little grain for the older ones. Since alpacas are ruminants (basically, they chew cud), they do best on forage. Fescue is a big no-no, and alfalfa is too rich, especially for the females. They also receive minerals and baking soda.
One of the biggest challenges they face is managing parasites, though keeping the alpacas cool can be tricky too. Two Roots took part in a groundbreaking study with UT, using copper bolus capsules. These capsules, placed in the alpacas’ mouths, disrupt the reproductive cycle of parasites, offering a smart solution to a persistent problem.
Touring the Fiber Mill
Here’s a general overview of the milling process to the best of my recollection.
When the raw fiber arrives, they start by carefully skirting the fleece, which means removing any debris or less desirable parts. The fleece is then placed in a tumbler, a large machine that shakes out the dust and dirt. This is all done outside as it’s quite a messy process.
Once that’s done, the fiber comes inside to be washed. They weigh it out and cold-soak it in buckets. The washing is gentle and usually requires two rounds to ensure cleanliness.
The skirting and washing typically result in the loss of some fiber—about one pound for every ten pounds they start with.
After that, the fiber is left to dry on drying racks. The entire washing and drying process takes about two days.
They process different fibers depending on their intended use. Some are for coarser rug yarns, while others are for finer yarns used in knitting or weaving. There’s also roving, a fiber that’s ready to spin.
Once dried, the fiber passes through a picker, which fluffs it up. Then, it moves through a fiber separator and into the carder, a machine that aligns the fibers in the same direction.
And next it goes through a draw frame twice to ensure the roving is consistent for the type of yarn they’re making.
At the spinner, it starts turning into yarn, and there are several steps (and yet another machine or two) before it’s ready to be packaged.
The finished yarn is either packaged in skeins or cones. They like experimenting by blending colored fibers to create unique yarns with distinct color patterns, which is very popular with fiber artists.
Two Roots Alpacas Farm Gift Shop
Take a piece of the farm home with you by stopping by the gift shop before you leave! You’ll find cozy socks, hats, mittens, scarves, and even adorable stuffed alpaca toys. Some items even come with a special touch—a tag telling you exactly which alpaca provided the fleece!
Know Before You Go
- Farm Tours: Reservations required. Call Ruth Anne to schedule your tour at (256) 509-5096
- Best Time to Visit: The farm is open year-round, but the weather is nicest in the spring and early fall.
- What to Wear: Wear comfy shoes and dress casually—it’s a farm and you’ll be around animals.
- Gift Shop: Yarn, socks, mittens, hats, and more!
- Website
Visit https://www.discovergreenevilletn.com/ for more ideas on things to do in Greeneville, TN, and Greene County!
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