President - Ruth Anne Goss
Ruth Anne is the current President of TAA. She and her husband Brad run an alpaca ranch
and fiber mill in Greeneville Tennessee. Their journey started in 2013 and has grown to what
it is today.
Treasurer - Brenda Hanes
Brenda Hanes is the owner of Stewart Heritage Farm in New Market, TN. The farm is
currently home to 27 alpacas. The farm was originally started in Xenia, Ohio in 2004 with two
breeding females and a llama. The original alpacas and additions were boarded at other
farms until Brenda retired from the Air Force in 2008. The alpacas were then moved to the
small farm in Xenia. The focus in the early years was showing and breeding huacayas. As the
farm grew, the emphasis turned to building a fiber and retail business to showcase the
amazing qualities of alpaca fiber.
In 2015, the farm was moved to New Market so Brenda could be closer to family.
Brenda has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. She obtained an Idaho CPA
license and spent several years in the accounting field before joining the Air Force as a
healthcare administrator. As an Air Force officer, she specialized in healthcare finance and
budgeting, and after retiring from active duty, continued working for the Air Force as a
civilian until she moved to Tennessee.
Brenda is passionate about growing and harvesting alpaca fiber, and everything involved in
creating alpaca products for others to enjoy. She loves sharing her knowledge of raising and
keeping alpacas, as well as what to do with their amazing fiber.
Vice President - Peter Goodwin
Peter Goodwin
Susan and Peter Goodwin own Fosters Trail Alpacas Farm in Cleveland TN. The farm began in
2006 and presently has 35 Huacaya alpacas.
The farm concentrates on breeding seed stock quality alpacas. Peter and Susan attend alpaca
shows on a national level and have several National Champions and Futurity Champions
within their breeding stock. Peter would like to see the TAA become more active in the alpaca
industry and expand the membership. A TAA focus on responsible alpaca care, mentoring
new owners and fiber improvement are Peter’s main interests.
Prior to retirement, Peter was the President and CEO for several different Industrial Mineral
companies
Secretary - Barbara Dickenson
My name is Barbara Dickenson. My husband and myself live on 175 acres in Giles County,
Tennesse. We currently have 9 female alpacas (2 suris, 6 huacayas, and 1 a mixed) and 1
llama. We have been in the alpaca family for about 6 years. The breeder we bought from was
a member of TAA and we thought it would be advantageous to join also.
We do not show our alpacas nor do we breed them. We love them as pets. They are more of
a hobby on our working farm. We plan on keeping the gals we have and not expanding. We
are getting older and the upkeep is a lot. We want to stay up to date and provide the best
care possible but understand our limitations.
The amount of experience and knowledge of the TAA members has been a tremendous help.
I feel there is always something to learn about these amazing creatures.
At Large - Brandon Sigler, West Tennessee
Brandon has had alpacas since 2012 and is one of the owners of Elderwood Farms. Their
focuses include raising quality huacayas, pembroke welsh corgis, and an assortment of other
animals just north of Memphis, TN.
2022 National High Point Small Huacaya Farm
At Large - Marcus Taz Skildum, Middle Tennessee
We got our first alpacas about 7 years ago while living in Wisconsin. Started with a small
group of 7 fiber boys, that grew to 20 and then shortly there after we bought a herd of males
and females taking us to 63. We then bought a fiber mill and started processing fiber. At our
height our herd was 90.
We then decided to move to Tennessee. Our business plan has always been all encompassing
in the world of alpacas. We run our fiber mill, breed and show alpacas, have a farm store and
participate in ag tourism.
At Large - Michael Chissler, website and PR
My wife Joanne and I own and operate Valley View Farm and Garden in Manchester Tn.
Valley View is a 30-acre working farm. We began our alpaca journey in 2020 when we
purchased 9 alpacas, 7 females and 2 males and one LGD (Becky). In 2021 we purchased 6
additional alpacas, 1 male and 5 females bring our total to 15.
In addition to raising alpacas, we have 9 chickens, bees, butterflies and have a large garden.
Our farm is a certified TN Smart Yard in addition, we are butterfly and monarch garden
certified.
I’m a member of the TN Alpaca Association, The National Alpaca Association, Pick TN, and I’m
a Coffee certified Master Gardener.
I’m a retired restaurant professional and now have time to enjoy my all our new adventures.
At Large - David Rogers, East Tennessee
David and his wife Christine run Rocking Chair Alpaca farm in Corryton TN. Their love affair
with alpacas started in 2013 and the farm was established in 2014. Since that time, “our
“critters” have firmly established themselves not only in our hearts, but also our souls``.
Currently home to a growing herd of huacaya and suri alpacas, as well as Mason the Wonder
Dog , and Casey and Colby , a team of Livestock Guardian Dogs