Fall 2024

We’re gearing up for our busy season. We had over 700 people attend Open Farm Day in September. We continue to increase the number of private tour bookings and classes on the farm. Carla has been invited by the community to lecture about alpaca and fiber, and provide workshops. We also had a successful fundraising event on the farm that raised over $500 for the Jeanette Rankin Foundation, thanks to the generosity of family and friends.

Now we prepare for the holiday season. Winterizing the farm, purchasing a new bale chopper, putting gardens to bed, stocking inventory in the gift shop, all as we watch the days grow shorter. One of the joys of farm living is observing the seasonal changes and here at CanDo Acres we’re blessed with amazing autumnal colors. We also have a great seat for watching the migratory birds such as our beloved sandhill cranes as they gather for their long trek south. And our amusement continues as the squirrels scurry about gathering the hickory nuts that abound.

Our biggest event is always the annual Holiday Hop or Open Farm days just after Thanksgiving. Be sure to check it out under Calendar of Events. We will also be posting pop-up gift shop hours. As always, the gift shop can be opened simply by contacting Carla (269-823-4643) and making an appointment. We hope to see you soon!

Summer 2024

Weren’t the northern lights amazing this year! Several nights of some of nature’s best on display here at the farm. The picture below was aided by the camera, but the lights were absolutely visible (if not as vibrant) with the naked eye.

News from CanDo Acres

2023 Spring

New Arrivals! Our Nigerian Dwarf goats Betty and Veronica needed some friends. Pictured here are Jilly and Poppy, mother/daughter Pygoras (pygmy angora) goats. They can be sheared twice a year to add variety to our fiber offerings.

2022 Summer

Welcome Xander, 14 week old 50% Scottish Blackface and 50% Valais Blacknose. What a cutie, and sweet too. Looking forward to playing with his fiber next year.

2021 Fall

Welcome Baby Ella, born to Sima on August 22, 2021. You will have a chance to come see her during the Open Farm Day Sept 25th. We are excited about new products that we have for the gift shop too. Workshops have resumed, and we have more groups (minimum of 4) calling to customize classes on a variety of projects where they can come learn new skills and enjoy the farm setting. If you want a unique experience for your colleagues, friends, or family give Carla a call, 269-823-4643.

2021 Summer

Hurray, we’re back! Our first Open Farm Fun Day was a success. We look forward to 2 more in July (17th and 31st; See Farm Fun Days on the menu).

We also are ready to get back into the swing of workshops. Learn to work with the fiber and enjoy the animals during breaks. Contact Carla if interested in booking a private workshop (minimum 4 people). Public workshops can be found on our Facebook Page and in FB Events (CanDo Acres).

2020 (November) So here we are, still needing to practice our newly-learned COVID management strategies. We are opening our gift shop on Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4pm (Nov 7, 8 and 14, 15 and 21, 22). We are also adhering to the 3 week executive order and will 1) limit the number of people in the store, 2) have the windows open for best ventilation, and 3) everyone will be wearing masks. Changes to the Holiday Hop can be found by clicking on the link to the left. We (and the animals) appreciate your support.

2020 (June) As you know, COVID-19 did a number on all of us this year! We want you all to stay safe, wear masks, and stay 6 feet apart in public so we can re-open in late fall. We miss you! Follow us on Facebook for pictures and stories from the farm.

2020 (March)

Hurrah! Spring is near. We made it through the winter with no losses, though our female alpaca Rita gave us a good scare (story and pics on FaceBook).

We are looking forward to hosting more workshops this year. We have already conducted 1 teaching how to make dryer balls and 2 on needle felting gnomes. We’ve been invited to host workshops at a church in Portage and at Discover Kalamazoo. You can contact us if interested in coming to our workshop/retreat space or having us come to you.

We will be sharing booth space with Vintage Inspired at the Women’s Expo in Kalamazoo on March 6th and 7th. We will have some product as well as sign up sheets for upcoming workshops ($5 savings if you reserve your space early).

We have 2 Open Farm Days planned this year. Saturday May 23rd from 10am to 4pm and again Saturday July 4th, 10am-4pm. Stay tuned as we plan to expand our offerings.

2019 (December)

Wow did this year fly! Our expansion is done and the retreat/workshop area is now available. If you and a group (usually minimum of 3 and up to about 18 total) want to schedule an event/retreat, just let us know. We can customize based on number of people, whether you just want the space or would like us to lead a workshop, and type of beverages, snacks or meals you would like. The response we’ve had so far has been wonderful. People seem to truly relax and enjoy being able to see (and sometimes touch) the animals. New this year is a short trail through our woods for meditating in nature.

The newest addition to the farm is our Cardigan Corgi Katie. She has added some wonderful energy and is being trained to be our official welcomer (is that a word?) dog.

We were excited to reach over a 1000 likes on FaceBook. If you haven’t already, click to Like us and to Follow to insure you don’t miss out on any of the happenings.

So, to finish up the year, we have one more weekend of the Holiday Hop (Dec 7 & 8 form 10am to 4pm). We will also be available by appointment for those wishing to shop.

Thank you to all who have come to visit the farm!

2019 (February)

Our Canadian friends may be laughing a bit about our “polar vortex” event last week as it is not that uncommon to them, but, wow, it sure made 15 degrees (above zero) feel pretty balmy! We kept the animals closed up in shelter and steadily eating to keep warm and all of them did just fine.

Now we are in the middle of a construction zone in the main house as we create a bigger retreat space. When this last phase is done we will post pictures and provide updated information about classes, retreat events, and lodging options. Our goal is to open the expansion right after shearing day (so early in May). We don’t host many visitors on shearing day in order to keep the animals calm and because the shearers often lodge at our place as they work in the SW Michigan area.

Our first two workshops in 2019 were fun and relaxing with Suzanne Roche, our guide and instructor, leading us in yoga and meditation. This reflection time was followed by time to focus on a creative project, such as wet felting. We hope all of our guests feel welcome and comfortable in our home. We are grateful to those who have spent time on our farm.

More to come…

2018

A couple of updates that we are pretty excited about...

First, we are pleased to offer a dedicated craft supply area in our shop "The Roost" with bags of fiber for needle and wet felting, yarn, and other craft kits. Play with our alpaca and sheep wool to explore your creative side!

Next, we now have lodging on the farm! CanDo acres provides restful spaces and comfortable work areas for small to medium groups. Check out the Lodging at CanDo Acres link in the menu to the left for details. As always, feel free to call 269/823-4644 or email at candoacresmi@gmail.com for more information.

They're here, they're here! Our animal family has grown again. We have added an 8 year old miniature donkey, Patrick, to help Hodie protect the herds and give her equine companionship.

We also have 2 beautiful Nigerian Dwarf goats, Betty and Veronica! Come see them during Open Farm Days, the Holiday Hop or call to make arrangements for a friend's and family retreat or for lodging while visiting southwest Michigan.

2017

We welcomed a new critter to the farm in February - a donkey named Hodie! She is very sweet and smart and is quickly getting us all trained to give her treats whenever we walk by her pasture. She will have a job as a guard animal here on the farm as soon as she is healthy and ready to go. Our plan is to have her in with the female alpacas to provide protection, as donkeys tend to chase out any unwanted animal visitors.

2016

This year's fiber has been harvested and processed. We're excited by the quality and combinations from raw to roving to yarn to finished products. We also have this year's socks and insoles--always a favorite. A new product line is being added as we're pleased to be offering alpaca-themed wallets and bags made by a company that we really respect for their environmentally conscious practices and mission.

Our two newest alpaca--Sterling and Asher are doing quite well. Their fleece is a gorgeous color and their playful antics keep us (if not the other alpacas) amused.

The Indian Runner ducks have been a hit. We had no new cases of M-worm in the alpaca (the primary reason we got them--to forage on the insects and slugs that carry the parasite). They began laying eggs this month and we look forward to offering them to those who relish their unique properties (especially for baking) as much as we do. Feel free to contact us and we can arrange a pick-up.

To all of our knitters and crocheters--the summer open farm community project (crocheting and knitting fiber squares) successfully raised money for two local charities: Eleanor's Pantry and Animals Best Friend Fund! We will be doing this again so stay-tuned and follow us on Facebook.