Photograph by Kevin Horan
Photo Essay: Fields of Dreams
Leraso Farm Alpacas
Long Grove, IL
The Rodriguez family breeds and raises 50 Suri alpacas on their five-acre farm. Suris grow high-quality fleece, which is sheared once a year.
- Who: Ray Rodriguez, 46, and Maria Rodriguez, 45
- Revenues: $215,000
- Employees: 3
- Past Life: Ray runs a financial-services company and a recycling business
- How it Started: Wanted to raise animals that wouldn't be killed for food.
- Preparation: Advice from a breeder
- Initial Investment: $100,000
- Began in: 1998
- Broke Even: 2000
- Favorite Thing About the Business: The growing interest in alpacas; auctions are better-attended
- Worst Thing About the Business: Getting spit at by an alpaca