Jacob Hart

Biography

Native to Central Ohio, Jacob has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2009, when he followed his parents into the industry at the age of 12. He first acquired his alpacas as a way for his parents to teach him about finances and investments. It was at this time that he founded Rakhel Farms, which later became Rakhel Farms LLC. Jacob attended Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness in 2018 with the intention to apply his education to the alpaca industry. In 2019, Jacob entered the Alpaca Owners Association Judge Training Program and became a certified halter judge in 2022. He has volunteered at numerous AOA Certified alpaca shows and served on the AOA Show Revitalization Task Force in 2020.

Helen Testa Biography Helen established Silvercloud Farm in 2001 and managed a large herd of huacayas. Helen has been very active within the alpaca community. She served as the President of the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (PAOBA), managed the PAOBA Breeders Showcase, served on the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association Board of Directors, served on several Alpaca Owners Association Sub-Committees, and was founder partner in Silver Penn Sales. Helen recently joined the Judges Advisory Committee (JAC) and plans to remain active and supportive of the alpaca community. Helen has been an AOA Certified Judge since 2007 and enjoys traveling throughout the country evaluating alpacas, offering educational seminars, herd evaluations, and sale consultations. Helen has now retired from Silvercloud Farm and she and her two children Mia and Raymond reside in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Diana Timmerman Biography Diana is an AOA Halter, Senior Fleece Judge, Judge Trainer, and Instructor in the United States. Diana received her Certification as an International Alpaca Judge trained in Peru at the International Alpaca Judging School (IAJS) in 2004. She has actively judged in Canada and the United States since 2001. Diana has over 35 years of experience breeding, showing, and raising alpacas and other breeds of livestock. Along with her husband, Tim, they established Aussie Acres Alpacas in 1994. They became known for their ability to successfully produce grey and sought-after Huacaya breeding stock. Both Diana and Tim were honored to share those grey genetics worldwide. Diana’s love for alpacas and her commitment to fleece education was the inspiration that led to the purchase of The Alpaca Breeders Fiber School, LLC. Diana also serves as an alpaca industry consultant, educator, Fiber Sorter, Grader and, continues working on her Wool Classer status and is always available for consultations. Diana currently serves on the AOA Judges Advisory Committee (JAC), AOA Judge Training and Certification Committee (JTCC) as Liaison and served on the Advisory Board for the Mid-America Alpaca Foundation, the Board of Directors of Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies and past leader of the Leading Llamas and Alpacas 4-H Club. Diana was born in Germany. At eight years of age, she moved to Colorado with her parents. She earned an Associate Degree in Occupational Studies with an emphasis on Medical Billing and Coding and maintains her Paralegal and Medical Billing and Coding certifications. Prior to acquiring alpacas Diana was employed as a Paralegal for the Weld County District Attorney. She has one son, Jeff, and grandson, Alden Ray.

Arturo Pena Biography Arturo was born in Arequipa, Peru, and moved to the United States in his twenties. Since then, he has been managing large alpaca farm operations. His love for the Alpacas and his passion for its luxury product “The Fleece” motivated him to become an Alpaca Owners Association (AOA) Certified Judge in Halter, Fiber, and Performance. In addition, Arturo currently serves on the AOA Judges Advisory Committee (JAC). He is an alpaca expert with extensive knowledge in animal health, alpaca selection, genetics, and management. He has an educational background in Veterinary Medicine and has a bachelor’s degree in management. Before devoting full-time to alpacas, he had planned, organized, and executed Dog Shows while serving as Treasurer at the Regional Peruvian Kennel Club Association. He also worked as a Travel Agent at one of the prestigious agencies in Peru where he developed his passion for traveling. He also organizes an alpaca educational trip to Peru annually. Arturo has judged across the United States, Canada, and Europe. He strongly believes that education is the key to success in the alpaca industry. Through Judging, seminars, workshops, and consulting, he has assisted and guided new and seasoned alpaca breeders to achieve their goals. Along the way, he has been recognized as a collaborator of scientific and biomedical research about “Antibodies from Alpacas as Tools to Study Virus-Host Interactions.” His co-authored scientific research study “Do Differences in Maternal Immunoglobulin G Influence Passive Transfer and Subsequent Cria Growth in Alpacas?” was accepted for publication in the prestigious scientific veterinary journal, Theriogenology. Arturo and his family donate their free time at the local library and Cornell University Cooperative Extension 4-H Putnam County doing what he knows the best: creating awareness about the alpaca industry and trying to make a difference in his community. He lives in North Salem, New York with his wife, Kat, their son, Nicholas, and their dog daughter, Sabrina. They love to spend time outdoors and take alpaca pictures.

Amanda VandenBosch Biography Amanda VandenBosch is a Senior AOA Halter and Fleece Judge and an Alpaca Judge Trainer and Instructor in the United States. Amanda qualified as an International Alpaca Judge trained in Peru at the International Alpaca Judging School (IAJS ) in 2000. She has judged shows in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Peru gaining an international perspective and true love for the art and science of alpaca judging. Amanda travels worldwide judging alpacas, instructing, presenting seminars and workshops to breeders and judges. Her “hands on” approach is greatly sought after. Amanda worked with the British Alpaca Society (BAS) for 7 years to help develop the Judge Training Program, and with the New Zealand Judges for continuous training. She has been honored with regular appointments as an AOA Senior Instructor and Judge Trainer in both Fleece and Halter in the USA. Amanda has spent many hours volunteering over the years at AOBA National Conferences and regional events. She has participated on numerous committees. She is past president of CALPACA a Regional Affiliate and past co-chair of the Judges Advisory Committee (JAC). Currently she acts as a liaison for the Judge Training & Certification Committee. Amanda has had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading experts in the study of alpacas. Amanda is a native of the United Kingdom. She traveled and worked for The National Stud (UK) Lindsay Park Stud (Australia) and Lanes End Farm (Kentucky, USA) the premier thoroughbred breeding operations worldwide. In 1991 she settled in the USA. For the last 23 years, Amanda has been involved with alpacas in all aspects. Amanda is also a co-author of the book “The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging” published by AOBA and used as a training tool. With her husband, Vince, and two sons, Cody and Hunter, they operate Flying Dutchman Alpacas, in Bend, Oregon, successfully raising both huacayas and suris. Along with raising high quality breeding stock, they also own a partnership in Spring Harvest Mill, completing the circle of taking fleece to processing and end use, with these fine products being offered for sale at their local business Tumalo Coffee House.

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