About FABA and it's history.
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The History of the Florida Alpaca Breeders Association - 2003-2007
In the spring of 2003, before an alpaca breed affiliate existed in Florida, a couple of dedicated and experienced breeders were having an informational talk on a porch in Homosassa. The conversation evolved into the idea of having some type of alpaca event in Florida, as it seemed to be a good way to get the public involved in learning more about alpacas. A group was formed and in the summer of 2003, they met in Jean Riley’s kitchen to discuss the possibility of getting the first show off the ground. The minutes of this meeting have faded into individual memory, but it seems that this first group included Herb and Nan List, Bill and Sherri Leslie, Rod and Belinda Chapnick, Steve German, and Beck Weaver. The outcome of this first meeting was two-fold. First, a nominal membership fee of $20 would be required per farm and secondly that there would be the first ever alpaca show in Florida, planned for 2004 in Brooksville.
For several months, Steve German and Jean Riley met weekly. They decided to hire Peg Stevens as a show superintendent, which proved to be an excellent decision. With Peg’s experience and the determination of those few members, the Florida Alpaca Breeders Association (FABA) became an official affiliate of the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association (AOBA); the first board members were elected in the spring of 2004; and the first show was put together in less than eight months! It was very successful for their first attempt, registering 103 alpacas for the show with an associated auction that also proved profitable. Those first officers consisted of Pat Kraft as President, Dick Frankenhauser as Vice President and Jean Riley as Secretary/Treasurer. The by-laws of the organization were drafted and developed by donated resources from the Kraft and List families. The annual dues was increased from the original $20 to the current $125 to provide enough working capital needed to fund the annual alpaca show, and provide funds for public education; and the official FABA logo was designed and remains as it is today.
The second year brought much change as several members decided to move on and Dick Frankenhauser became the only remaining member that served on the board until the election of 2005. This year proved to be a very significant period in the early life of FABA. The newly elected board of directors consisted of Don Warming, President; Steve German, Vice President; Shirley Vining, Secretary; and Kris Zborblaski as Treasurer. This was a year of rapid growth, nearly doubling the amount of alpaca breeders that joined FABA. In this year the FABA show was in Ocala with over 200 alpacas in attendance and another successful auction.
The 2006 FABA Alpaca Expo was held in Ocala was well, with over 300 alpaca entries and another lucrative auction. A new board was elected consisting of Larry Strayhorn, President; Steve German, Vice President; Jamie Flores, Secretary; Kris Zborblaski, Treasurer. A highly successful outdoor seminar in December brought two well known speakers to Ocala to talk about “Advanced Reproduction in Alpacas” and also general information to the public. Despite it being the coldest weekend in the year, almost 200 people stuck it out to learn more about the breed.
2007’s Alpaca Expo was held in Jacksonville at the new Equestrian Center with almost 500 alpacas in attendance with our first international judge and another judge from the US running two rings at the same time. It was highly successful, as was the accompanying “female only” auction.
FABA continues to grow rapidly with over 60 farms as members in 2007 and more joining all the time.
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