Drivers passing the farm for the first time might be a little surprised when they first see the camel. But those who drive by regularly are quite used to the sight of the sweet-natured humpback. If they drive slow enough, they will also have time to spot the reindeer, the wallabies, and even the snow white baby llama.
Such is life at Golden Blew Acres Farm, at 1840 Lewiston Road in the Town of Alabama, after owners Bob and Rebecca Blew decided that some exotic animals might help to attract potential Christmas tree-buyers to their tree farm.
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The Blews attended their first exotic animal auction more than 10 years ago and brought home several llamas. The following spring, they traveled to another in Missouri, this time coming home with Bath Sheeba, the camel.
Says Rebecca, “Each year we had to bring back something.”
Over the years the Blews have welcomed many unique members of the animal kingdom into their family, including a small herd of reindeer (a new baby was born just last Sunday), pygmy goats, peacocks, wallabies, miniature sheep, miniature donkeys and miniature draft horses.
For the Blews, raising animals runs in the family. Bob’s father helped establish the John White Memorial Game Farm, which produced 5,000 ring neck pheasants per year. Bob and Rebecca gave up the pheasant business, but carried on the tradition of raising animals.
Taking care of so many different animals is no easy task. The exotic animals require special attention from their owners. Rebecca bottle-feeds the many of the newborns in order to desensitize them and make them more comfortable around humans. In the case of the baby wallabies, native to Australia, Rebecca simulates a mother’s pouch by carrying the young ones around in a homemade pouch 24 hours a day.
All this hard work has paid off. Not only do the animals add a unique twist to the classic Christmas tree business, but these interesting creatures have found a place in the community as well.
Every Christmas, a local church holds a service at Golden Blew Acres Inc., and the children act out the nativity scene with the help of the animals. In addition, students from area schools take field trips to the farm. Handicapped occupants of the Veteran’s Hospital also among the many visitors. The Blews are more than happy to give back to the community.
“This is our way of helping people,” Rebecca said.
As Golden Blew Acres continues to provide a unique experience for the members of the surrounding community, Bob and Rebecca Blew are proud to have given them that opportunity. Rebecca believes the best part about raising their animals is that “It gives us the opportunity to share.”
Katie Billingsley is a junior at Strapping High School.
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