Claudia and Jerry Porter are farmers, artisans, businesspeople and animal lovers. They are intriguing and spirited souls whose energy seems utterly boundless. The couple is living proof that with determination and the willingness to learn and grow, anything is possible. Fueled by a desire to link a retirement activity to their passion for animals, the couple went on to build a tremendously successful business.
Jerry grew up locally, and as he neared retirement, he longed to come back to Lyon County. After a successful career as a director of international electronics sales, he was looking forward to a less populated place. Claudia, a country girl born and raised, welcomed the pace and lifestyle Fernley offers. Little did they know at the time that they were about to embark on a second career.
The couple settled into a nice little house in town, but it wasn’t long before Claudia started to get itchy. Jerry was still working. Claudia was ready for an adventure of some kind, but a plan for that adventure didn’t crystallize until they came upon the property they now call home. A large house with a five-car garage and 40 acres of land was the perfect spot for their new project. While Jerry busied himself mostly with his full-time job, Claudia would become an alpaca farmer.
And so, the adventure began.
Through affiliations with the Alpaca Owners Association, both Claudia and Jerry learned everything they could about the care and keeping of these gentle animals and the harvesting of their fiber. With the purchase of Johnny Cash, their star, prize-winning stud, Black Rock Mountain Alpacas was born. Johnny Cash promptly sired A Boy Named Sioux. With the help of these randy fellows, the herd flourished, producing hundreds of pounds of high-quality fiber. English Angora rabbits, which also produce a highly sought-after fiber, were added to the farm.
But there was an unexpected complication: The couple discovered that there simply weren’t enough mills operating to process their product in a timely manner. To address this, the industrious pair opened a mill of their own.
With their usual and admirable resolve, the couple investigated the milling process. Finding Belfast Mini Mill equipment to be among the most reliable and well-crafted in the industry, the Porters chose it for their operation. Jerry and Claudia trained extensively with the manufacturer. Before long, they were experts in operating the machines needed to take fiber from its raw state to yarn and felt. By 2019, Black Rock Mountain Alpacas/Fiber Mill was firmly established as a full-service mill.
Jerry has since fully retired from his career in electronics to collaborate equally in the milling process. He starts the process by managing the skirting, picking and scouring, all terms that translate into removing dirt and debris from the raw material. Claudia takes over with the carding process, which blends the fiber in preparation for turning it into useful yarn or felt.
The couple processes fiber from alpacas, llamas, Angora goats, yaks and bison and serves customers from across the West, including Hawaii. A large shipping container occupies the view from the fiber factory, now located in the home’s five-car garage. That container is filled with orders.
With many awards earned by the now-named Black Rock Mountain Angoras/Fiber Works, eager customers are happy to wait as long as necessary for their fiber to be transformed into their desired materials.
Although their alpacas have been rehomed, the mill remains the Porters’ passion. When discussing this stage of their lives, the couple exudes enthusiasm. When asked about her work, Claudia’s joy is palpable as she reminisces about the beloved animals that helped bring the Porters’ business to life.
Black Rock Mountain Angoras/Fiber Works is truly a shining star in Fernley’s pantheon of success stories.
To learn more, visit Black Rock Mountain Angoras/Fiber Works.
Below: Claudia Porter holding an English Angora rabbit. Photo courtesy of Jerry and Claudia Porter.
Comment
Comments