An alpaca outside the craft barn at Sogn Valley Alpacas & Crafts.
I DREW MY HAND across the scarves, stroking the silky, kitten-soft spun fiber of the alpacas.
Hats. Scarves. Prayer shawls. Afghans. Rugs. Clothing. Some tucked inside the small-scale barn shed that mimics the real barn a stone’s throw away. Other merchandise is draped across tables and clothes-drying racks outside, near the penned camel-hued alpaca that chose to ignore me for the most part.
Welcome to Sogn Valley Alpacas & Crafts along Goodhue County 14 Boulevard, rural Cannon Falls, a spur-of-the-moment stop on a recent drive to view the fall colors.
Jayne and R.J. Boersma's Sogn Valley Alpacas & Crafts near Cannon Falls.
Scarves and hats, close-up, and prayer shawls in the background displayed outside.
Silky soft clothing hanging inside the craft barn.
My husband and I missed the fleece demo at 1 p.m., the spinning wheel demo inside and the alpaca farm tour, unless, of course, it was self-guided.
We, in fact, missed any human contact. Not a soul was to be seen except for alpacas and chickens scratching and flapping too close for my fear-of-chickens comfort.
I checked out the merchandise, unsuccessfully tried to coax the elusive alpaca into posing prettily for a photo, side-stepped chicken poop, considered photographing pumpkins and squash splayed out on a picnic table, and then snapped one final photo of an “AGRICULTURE KEEPS AMERICA GROWING” sign before hopping into the car.
The sign supporting agriculture on the side of a shed at the alpaca farm.
© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I know you didn’t specifically say nobody was minding the store but I am always impressed by people who trust shoppers to leave their money in exchange for their goods–the honor system, something I’ve only seen in the country. I also love that the scarves and hats were only $5. What a nice little stop!
I, too, am impressed by the trusting nature of some folks. It does lift your spirits to know that a belief in goodness and honesty in a business setting still exists. (Wait until you read about an honor system find from another rural Minnesota location in an upcoming post.)
I agree that the $5 on the hats and scarves is a good price. I wish now that I would have purchased one. There’s always next time…
I met the owners of this Alpaca Farm at the Little Log Days annual fair this past weekend. I was so impressed with them and their gorgeous handmade afghans, that I’m going to try and take all of the girls in my family on a tour.
I was also impressed with the writing you did regarding this place, Audrey! Thanks for writing about this place.
You are welcome, Gloria. Nice to have you here at Minnesota Prairie Roots.
Thanks, Audrey. Nice to be here!
Reblogged this on quietwatersphotography and commented:
I met the owners of Sogn Valley Alpacas & Crafts during last weekend’s Little Log Pioneer Village Days in Hastings, Minnesota. I just wanted to share this awesome blog regarding them written by Audrey Kletscher Helbling.
Thanks for the shout out, Gloria.
Did I ever say you’re welcome?
I apologize for taking so very long to ask you this, but I’m verifying that I’ve responded to all comments here on my blog and just noticed that this message was in my unread comment section. I’ve been in the processing meeting a business deadline since July 12th and haven’t kept up on my blog or responding to comments. I hope you can forgive me.
We’re good.