ABOUT...

We all love llamas! We love their grace, their regal elegance, their intelligent natures, and their ability to work safely with our youth. The Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. (HCL) provides llamas to youth for participation in our county 4-H project. The youth involved learn about llama health care, train their llamas to show at the county fair, and oversee the care of their animals.

Located in central Indiana, the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. has been formed for the sole purpose of making llamas available to the youth of Hamilton County to lease for, including but not limited to, participation in and completing a 4-H Llama Project. Members of the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. will share in the ownership, maintenance, and care for all the llamas under the responsibility of the HCL. Membership is yearly from October 1st to Sept 30th. There is a one time membership fee of $25.00. All HCL members will have the option to take their turn with llama chores during the membership year or to opt out of chores by paying an additional fee.
When enrolled in the 4-H Llama Project, youth leasing a llama will learn about llama health care and attend workshops to train their llama to show at the annual Hamilton County Fair. All members who lease a llama or attend workshops on the property where the llamas are housed must be a member of the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc.. Leasing fees will apply towards the location lease, insurance, feed, animal health care, and miscellaneous variable expenses as well as HCL workshop fees and special events.
The Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. will be managed by an elected Board of Directors and operates under their own By-Laws. All members will have one vote per family. Chairpersons and committees will work to help oversee the responsibilities of the herd management. At this time the HCL estimates $22,000 per year Operating Costs.
The Hamilton County Llamas, Inc.also offers various options to board llamas for those youth who own their own llamas and are currently enrolled in the Hamilton County 4-H project or for those who have been previously connected with the Hamilton County 4-H project and are willing to share their animals with members of the HCL. In addition the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. offers options for those HCL members who own their own llamas and house them at their own location, are currently enrolled in the Hamilton County 4-H project, and wish to attend workshops and activities of the HCL.

How It Came About ...........

Prior to 2015, the llamas in this herd were owned by Jim and Marilyn Nenni of Shagbark Ridge Llamas. The Hamilton County 4-H llama project was started in 1991 at Shagbark Ridge by the Nenni's with Marilyn being the club leader and Jim being the project superintendent. For 24 years the club met at their farm and youth worked with their llamas. When the decision was made to sell their farm in 2014, in order to see the 4-H llama project continue, the Nenni's donated all the animals in the herd, along with all the equipment, to the group of families currently involved with the 4-H llama project. Under the advisement of a Steering Committee consisting of some of the parents, the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. was formed. Llama youth joined the HCL with a one time membership fee and became share owners and caretakers of the llama herd. A new 40 acre farm was located to house the animals and fencing and shelters were constructed. Annual fees and some fundraising projects will support the annual budget of maintaining the llama herd on the new farm and the 4-H llama project will continue on.