August 21-24, 2025
BEND, OREGON
Thursday, 8/21
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Location: Flying Dutchman Alpacas, LLC
- 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Optional Yoga with Ben Cooper & the Alpacas (Complimentary of EDU). Start your day relaxed, stretched, and full of alpaca love!
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Arrive and Continental Breakfast. Visit, network, and wake up!
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome and Introductions from Scott & Debbie Miller & Amanda VandenBosch.
- 9:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Subject: For Whom the Data Tolls: Trends, Insights, and the Future. Presented by Derik King, MD, Chief Science Officer, Alpaca Fiber Analytics & Amanda VandenBosch.
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Peru Textiles – Arte Michell Non-Profit: Textiles and Andean Tradition. Presented by our guests, Stephanie Michell & Bruno Franco, Michell & Co, Peru.
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch.
- 1:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Subject: When to Call the Vet? Parasites, First Aid, Cria Care, and More. Bring your questions! Presented by Dr. Rachel Oxley, DVM, Veterinarian, Juniper Country Veterinary Services, Redmond, OR. (See Sunday for hands-on neonatal clinic.)
- 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Subject: Quechua Benefit/Peru. Learn about the amazing work and legacy of Quechua Benefit and how it is helping so many in the camelid community, including LCA & water project, and Casa Chapi updates. Presented by Xeina Ccallo, Ellery Rather, and Mike Safley, Founder, Quechua Benefit.
- 4:45 PM: End of Day. Head to Cascades Academy (10 minutes) for the evening event.
- 5:00 PM: Arrive at Cascades Academy. Enjoy heavy appetizers, drinks, networking, and fun! Don’t miss this celebration of the alpaca that brings us all together. Sneak peek: “Life is Better with Alpacas” documentary.
- 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Arte Michell Textile Exhibit and Sale & Quechua Benefit Fundraiser Paddle Raise. Sponsored by Mazuri Feeds. Dress Code: Casual Wear. Desserts sponsored by Stillmeadow Alpaca Farm, Tumalo, Oregon.
***Early night – we know you will be worn out from such a fantastic day!***
THURSDAY & FRIDAY (Complimentary of EDU) SIGN UP LIST – Limited spots
HANDS-ON LEARNING: Trailer Backing Skills with Mike Cates Transport – 20-minute ONE-on-ONE SESSIONS. Amanda’s note: “I don’t know a person who wouldn’t benefit from this. Mike is the best! I am first on the list…”
Fri, 8/22
Friday, August 22, 2025
Location: Flying Dutchman Alpacas, LLC
- 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Optional Yoga with Ben Cooper & the Alpacas (Complimentary of EDU). Start your day relaxed, stretched, and full of alpaca love!
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast supplied by Tumalo CoffeeHouse.
- 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Subject: Interactive Nutrition Discussion. The importance of supporting your alpaca’s growth, health, and optimizing fiber production. Bring your questions! An interactive discussion on alpaca health & well-being through good nutrition. Presented by Jen Parsons, PhD, Lead Nutritionist, Mazuri Feeds & Team Mazuri.
- 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Subject: Hands-On Fiber Examples and Data. Take time to view and analyze actual fleece samples and data and make correlations. Deepen your understanding of how to use the data. IFA – Innovative Fleece Assessment – Examine by grade and value to end use. Presented by Derik King, MD, Chief Science Officer, Alpaca Fiber Analytics, Amanda VandenBosch, and Helen Testa, AOA Alpaca Judge.
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Subject: Youth – Agritourism – 4-H. Learn more about the amazing work the youth are doing, developing awareness of alpacas nationwide, community service, and raising up our youth. Presented by Cascades Alpacas 4-H: Makai, Emmett, Ana.
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: AOA Updates. What is happening with the AOA National Organization? 2026 planning and more. Presented by Executive Director Robin Gifford & BOD Member Scott Miller.
SIGN UP – FRIDAY
20 mins with Film Producer: Michael Horwitz – Learn more about the “LIFE IS BETTER WITH ALPACAS” documentary development.
Travel to Crescent Moon Ranch, Terrebonne
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch at CMR.
- 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Alpacas in Pens for Viewing. Meet with each breeder/consigner. Hands-on view each alpaca. This is an opportunity to visit with all the breeders from across the country, delve into their alpacas offered, discuss their breeding programs, ask one-on-one questions. So much time to make new friends, colleagues, network, and learn. An incredible opportunity that should not be missed. Helen Testa, AOA Alpaca Judge, will be available for consulting on site and for phone bidders. Contact Tim Vincent, Celebrity Sales (complimentary of EDU).
- 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Subject: Hands-On Evaluation of the Whole Alpaca. Look at conformation, emphasis chart, and why breeding for a sound, healthy alpaca is so important. Presented by Helen Testa, AOA Alpaca Judge & Judge Trainer.
- 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM: Subject: Auctions – Informal. If you want to learn more about auctions, from entering alpacas, setting reserves, bidding, and insurance. Tim Vincent, Celebrity Sales, will be available to discuss everything you need to know to have an enjoyable and informed time.
- 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Hands-On Preview and Fleeces for Auction Animals. All alpacas will be in their pens, and the fleeces displayed. Take the time to visit each pen, look at pedigrees, feel the fleeces, and learn more about all the alpacas from their breeders and absorb all the information, amazing genetics available for the Saturday LIVE Auction. Drinks and appetizers for your enjoyment – time to really network!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner on your own. Experience Central Oregon Restaurants. Enjoy your evening!
Sat, 8/23
Saturday, August 23, 2025: Auction Day & Preview
Location: Crescent Moon Ranch, Terrebonne
- 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Continental Breakfast & visit alpaca pens to look at auction alpacas.
- 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Subject: Show Ring – What the Judge Looks For. Let’s talk about the show ring and how to get the best out of your experiences during the show. Get insights from an experienced alpaca judge and ask those questions you have always wanted to learn more about. Presented by Helen Testa, AOA Alpaca Judge & Trainer.
- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Auction Preview – Pens Open. Spend time, network, and evaluate all the alpacas in the sale. Talk to the breeders, speakers, and alpaca judges and learn hands-on. Such an incredible opportunity.
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM: Live Auction Starts – Celebrity Sales.
***Note: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Pens open for alpaca viewing for auction. An opportunity to hands-on all alpacas and visit with breeders and learn more, whether you are actively buying, new and just learning, or just 100% alpaca enthusiast. This is an opportunity to really get to feel, listen, and learn from many successful, passionate alpaca breeders.***
- 4:15 PM: End of Auction (Time may vary)
Sun, 8/24
Sunday, August 24, 2025
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast offered.
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Subject: Hands-On Wet Lab – Neonatal. Be prepared! By popular request. Presented by Dr. Rachel Oxley, DVM, Veterinarian, Juniper Country Veterinary Services, Redmond, OR. Learn about dystocias, problems at birthing time, how to evaluate cria and dam, and what the next steps are. Evaluate and know when to pull, push, or when to call the vet.
- Rotation: Group will be split to ensure everyone gets lots of hands-on instruction.
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Subject: You Be the Judge. Four alpacas – evaluate, place, and give reasons. Amanda will share placings, and we can discuss each group. Hone in on your skills of looking at both conformation and fiber. What does the judge look for? Together we learn.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM: Duck Scramble – Prizes, Prizes, Prizes, Fun, Fun, Fun! To end the 17th Year – 2025 Education with a Destination with a leap into the pond to catch your “duck.” Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Ducks mean prizes. You get wet, show your competitive side, and can win an assortment of really fun prizes, stud male breedings, and more! Guaranteed to make you smile and end a perfect 2025 Education with a Destination!
*schedule subject to change
Your Hosts…
Scott & Debbie Miller
Physical Address:
7566 N Hwy 97 Terrebonne, Oregon 97760
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 600 Terrebonne, OR 97760
Flying Dutchman Alpacas
Amanda & Vince VandenBosch
Address:
65485 Cline Falls Hwy
Bend, Oregon 97703