Lamar - meaning famous land and that it was with the Native American Indians.
The natural springs in this area were a source of fresh water that never froze in the winter months. They are also
the beginning of Parson's Creek which flows north into the Fond du Lac River and thus into Lake Winnebago.
La Mara Springs is located about 5 1/2 miles south of Fond du Lac in the ledge region of east
central Wisconsin and about l hour north of Milwaukee.
We purchased the remaining 79 1/4 acres, with an old farm house and farm buildings in Oct. of
1988. The farm was origionally 180 acres and was at one time part of a multi-farm dairy operation named Luxrine Farms.
Having a few Arabian & part Arabian horses, we soon transformed the farm buildings to accommodate
our horses. Since Barbara had loved horses since birth, the idea of being horseless seemed an impossability. But
in 1993 she discovered llamas and a year later all the horses were gone. Once again the buildings and fences were modified
to accommodate her "llama habit".
Over the years, the size of our herd varies between 25 to 35 llamas. Barbara has
been very involved in the llama community and industry. She served on the ORGLE (Wisconsin Organization of Lama Enthusiasts)
Board of Directors and is also a past president. We are members of ALSA (Alpaca and Llama Show Association) and the
ILR (International Lama Registry). Barbara is very enthusiastic about showing the llamas and has conducted show and
training seminars and clinics for youths and adults. As a 4-H Leader, she spearheaded the 4-H Llama Project in our area
and organized the 4-H and Open Llama Show held at our county fair. She has also judged llama shows at other county fairs.
She conducts on the farm tours, visits schools and nursing homes, and has participated in local parades with the llamas.
She loves "talking llamas" and educating the public about these wonderful animals.
John has worked for Mercury Marine (a Division of Brunswick) for many many years. He works
in the Displays Department where all the displays for the boat shows are made. Making the cut-away engine displays are
his specialty.
While Barbara does most of the traveling with the llamas, which consists of traveling to many
different states as well as Canada, attending sales, shows and other llama events; John prefers to stay home and care for
the remaining llamas. This can be real exciting and rewarding especially when crias are due.
Llamas have made it possible for us to visit places we may never have gone and introduced us
to many wonderful people we may never have met. Llamas have enriched our lives in many ways and we feel truly blessed
to have llamas in our lives.
Visitors are always welcome.
Just give us a call and we will put the coffee
on.
