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Photos: Fall Angora Goat Shearing Takes Place at Apple Hill Farm in Banner Elk

Photos by Cindy McEnery

There’s always something fun going on the High Country’s favorite mountaintop alpaca farm, Apple Hill Farm. Most recently, it was the biannual goat shearing that’s used to produce some of the yarn you can by at the on-site store.

Local photographer Cindy McEnery was there to catch the action on camera.

“I watched as Bonny Collard carefully sheared Coraline. Using electric shears and handheld shears, she skillfully removed her fiber in about 30 minutes,” said McEnery. “Once the fiber, known as mohair, is removed, it is turned into yarn.”

Angora goats produce an average of 10 pounds of mohair each year and shearings are held in the spring and in the fall.

Want to try Apple Hill Farm’s yarn for yourself? Swing by the Valle Country Fair on Oct. 15 to buy some.

“Apple Hill Farm is the home to goats, llamas, alpacas, donkeys, horses and dogs,” McEnery said. “It’s a wonderful place to visit anytime during the year.”
Visit applehillfarmnc.com to learn more.
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