Ken Hibitts

Biography

Victoria and Ken Hibbits own and operate Alpacas By The Sea, Inc. in Montara, California. They have both worked in the alpaca industry for over 16 years. Alpacas By The Sea has been raising alpacas since 1992. They managed a herd of up 100 alpacas and have presented educational seminars for their clients that provide an excellent informational foundation for success in the alpaca business. Ken is an AOA Halter Judge. Victoria Hibbits was an ARI Phenotypic screener and they have traveled together in Peru learning advanced husbandry directly from breeders on the altiplano. They have also studied and shared breeding techniques and alpaca screening criteria with some of the worlds leading experts. They have enjoyed raising alpacas in Northern California and take great pleasure in sharing the rewards of alpacas with others. Alpacas By the Sea is located just 25 minutes south of San Francisco on scenic Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean.

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.

Jude Anderson Biography Jude Anderson, along with her husband, Alan Cousill, has been breeding alpacas since 1991, in both Australia and the US. Currently, they own and breed alpacas in the US, a herd of quality suris and huacayas at Pucara International, a beautiful 105 acre farm at McMinnville, Oregon. In 1994 Jude left school teaching to concentrate fully on the breeding and animal care of alpacas at Pucara Alpaca Stud in Australia. An AAA judge since 1998, Jude gained AOA certification in 2002 and senior judge and judge trainer/instructor status in 2005. She also certified at the IAJS judging school in Peru in 2000. Since 1998 Jude has judged in Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Sweden, and Norway. She is involved in the development and teaching at both halter and fleece judging clinics and works with apprentices to develop their skills. She has also trained British Alpaca Society judges in the UK. Currently, Jude is Chair of the AOA Judges Advisory Committee and a halter liaison to the AOA Show Rules Committee. Alongside Cheryl Gehly, Mike Safley, and Amanda VandenBosch, Jude authored The Art and Science of Alpaca Judging, a comprehensive judge training text also used extensively by alpaca breeders worldwide. Jude has also conducted seminars and spoken in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK, and Germany on topics including breeding, reproduction and alpaca husbandry, alpaca fiber, conformation, selection, genetics, and nutrition.

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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