Episode #8
Yussy McManus on Alpaca Fiber, Farming & Sustainable Fashion
What if one of fashion’s most interesting natural fibers starts with rethinking how we raise the animals behind it? This week, Lexy talks with Yussy McManus, co-owner of Black Barn Alpacas, a Maryland alpaca farm and agritourism destination she runs with her husband, Travis. Yussy made the unexpected move from a career in interior design and construction into farming, and today Black Barn Alpacas focuses on animal welfare, responsible breeding, education and creating products from alpaca fleece. Yussy shares what makes alpaca fiber different, why the way animals are raised matters just as much as the material itself, and what sustainable farming actually looks like day to day. She and Lexy also talk about building a farm from the ground up, moving the operation to Maryland, growing a large alpaca herd, and turning the property into a place for tours, education and community experiences. They also get into women in agriculture, the realities of leaving a completely different career for farm life, and how Black Barn Alpacas is trying to connect people more closely with where natural materials come from. If you’ve ever worn alpaca but never thought about the farm, animals or people behind the fiber, this episode gives you a completely different perspective. Listen now, subscribe to The Lexy Show, and follow Lexy for more conversations about fashion, sustainability and the people changing how things are made. Follow Black Barn Alpacas on social @blackbarnalpacas If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Lexy Show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make more mindful choices for themselves and the planet. For more information visit https://lexysilverstein.com/
