Will "the Lifestyle" Continue?

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By Cathy Spalding
www.gentlespiritllamas.com

To everything there is a season... fall, einter, spring and summer...birth, baby, child, young adult, parent, grandparent, elder, death...it all then cycles once again through the seasons of that baby now becoming a parent, then grandparent or elder and the cycle continues then once again and then again once more. Each particular season leaves an impression on the next. Often strengths and weaknesses of the previous season or generation are readily visible in the season or generation to follow. That notion carries strong implications for the long-term viabilities within our alpaca and llama communities. Those many wonderful alpaca and llama people of today will necessarily travel the seasons. Will we simply leave one by one or will we have each in our own way, left an impression, desire or motivation within another? Who will follow and who might lead in the next season?

The Importance Of Youth Participation

One of the strongest assets of any community lies in their young people. vigorous and fresh, full of wonder and enthusiasm. And, it would seem from the latest census, they are plentiful, too! We hope to guide them in this season that they may become the guides in the next. How often have we heard the phrase: "Our youth are our future?" Is it possible for that phrase to have important relevance for most any future in most any realm?

Strong youth participation seems an essential building block for the viable ongoing future in the realm of alpacas and llamas. The strength of youth participation would surely depend upon how well we encourage, include, support and mentor them. It must be more than helping with ranch chores or bringing them along with mom and dad to a show or sale. For long-term success, our inclusion, encouragement, support and mentoring must spark an interest, desire and curiosity deep within them through many varied opportunities for personal growth and direct participation. It must include a genuine feeling of acknowledgement and appreciation for their many talents and achievements. FFA and 4-H have long been great opportunities for youth. Unfortunately, both are seemingly somewhat distant per se from any direct involvement with the alpaca or llama communities at large. What creative avenues might we offer with a direct connection to the national community? If our youth are truly a significant part of our alpaca and llama future, perhaps offering more opportunities through our local and national organizations is a significant ingredient.

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