Llamas turn out a Honey at Monterey farm

By Melissa HamiltonPrint Story | Email Story
Mac displays the family's collection of blue ribbons from show in the past eight years. (Photo By Melissa Hamilton)
MONTEREY — In the Andes and in the Berkshires, llamas are enjoyed for their genial manner and used for a multitude of purposes. At Honey Hill Farm in Monterey, Melissa Preston, Jeffrey Litishin and their son, Mac, are raising over 24 llamas and winning championships across New England. They say llamas have become a thriving business. “People are realizing what great animals llamas are to have around,” Preston said during an interview last week. She and her family bought their first llamas in 1997. She said they wanted to raise animals on their property to add to the value of their land. After attending a fair and observing the gentle nature of the llama, they were convinced this was the animal they wanted to start their farm with. After extensive research, they purchased a Bolivian male. “We wanted our son to grow up and learn about life cycles and responsible care,” Preston said. Mac owns two llamas, Sonia and Sunset. He is quite knowledgeable about the details of being a llama owner, his mother said. This year, after turning 8, he will show his llamas at the Big E in Springfield. Honey Hills’ llamas are displayed at two majors shows each year, including the Delaware Regional. Preston said the shows are great events to share together with her family. The llamas are judged by age, and wool division, and in obstacle course, driving and halter class. Mac displayed the family’s collection of blue ribbons from shows in the past eight years. Their Bolivian male was the grand champion of the Big E fair and is the sire of many of the farm’s offspring. Honey Hill Farm is a member of GALA (Greater Appalachian Llama Association) and ALSA (Alpaca Llama Show Association). Raising llamas has many benefits, Preston said: They enjoy walks and do not cause trail damage due to the soft padding on their feet. Llamas can be used for their fiber or fur, to pull carts and to show, and their manure is perfect fertilizer, Preston said. Honey Hill Farm sells llama fiber to hand-spinners and started selling “llama beans” (manure) to local gardeners this year. The business of raising llamas is not one to be taken lightly, since a llama may live up to 20 to 25 years, Preston said. Being a herd animal, a llama will not be happy without a companion. The Prestons learned about many aspects of llama care from their “mentors,” Tom and Liz Marino, at Ivory Pond Farm in South Egremont. “Llamas can be very stoic. It can be hard for a first-time owner to sense when they are not doing well,” Preston said. Among other things, llamas can suffer from heat stress. Herds need adequate ventilation and shade in the summer months. Honey Hill Farm has created sand pits with fans and water sprinklers to alleviate heat stress in its llamas. Sheering is another must, Preston said. Llamas are also prone to the mengineal worm, carried by the white tail deer. Preston said she has to have the llamas wormed every 21 to 28 days to assure their good health. Despite the challenges in raising llamas, there seem to be a growing number moving to Berkshire Country, she said. Honey Hill Farm’s business is expanding, and gangly-legged babies are being born this spring. In June, the family will head to the New York Classic to show off the most talented of their brood. On May 15 and 16, Honey Hill will be co-hosts at an ppen house at Ivory Pond Farm. For more information about Honey Hill Farm, its products or the upcoming open house, call Preston at 528-1343.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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