top of page
Ruth Anne_edited.jpg
Brenda_edited.jpg
foster 2.png
Barbara Dickenson.jpg
Headshot.jpg
20220714_193351.jpg
Resized_20220323_143159.jpeg
image0.jpeg

 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 

bottom of page