About Us

Newly named in 2007, Montrose Farms was first carved out of the Indiana wilderness in 1824 when the state began selling sections in Hendricks County for settlement as part of the Land Act of 1820. James B. Brown, a Kentucky veteran of the War of 1812, acquired this land in accordance with the bounty land warrant that gave away land in exchange for military service. Because he was the first white settler in the area, the town of Brownsburg and Brown township were later named for him. Although the property has changed size as it has changed hands over the decades, it has been continuously farmed by individual families for 200 years. 

After purchasing the farm in 2007, Chris and Lori Lovely began extensive renovation of  the farmhouse, built in 1876, and prepared the pastures and out buildings for alpacas. Work continues as the herd grows. Boys are now housed in “the mews,” the biggest barn on the property, where dates as early as 1879 have been found carved into its hand-hewn beams. Girls remain in their original south pasture, where a large barn was added to the expanded smaller barn in order to accommodate the growing herd. 

​

The suri alpacas bred at Montrose Farms Alpaca Ranch are chosen for their luster, lock and fineness, as well as their friendly temperaments. Currently, Montrose Farms offers several unrelated mixed-heritage bloodlines with a wide variety of colors, as well as a full Peruvian line that includes several herdsires with completely different blood lines.

The farm is focused on best management practices, humane animal husbandry and eco-friendly, sustainable living. Part of the land is devoted to hay cultivation for the alpacas, and an organic orchard/vineyard/vegetable garden is onsite, with produce available for sale in season. Chickens are pastured for organic egg production.

On this small family farm, the animals come first. A great deal of attention and care is spent to ensure that all animals, from alpacas to livestock guardian dogs to barn cats to fowl, are healthy and happy. This hands-on approach is producing well-balanced, top quality, easy-to-handle alpacas with stunning fleece.

Where the animals always come first.