Alpacas, sheep and miniature Highland cows are just a few of the many animals that call Eagle Eye Farm home. Photos: Kerri Harting
A Valley farmer brings a love for animals and sustainability to her Stillwater shop.
Kerri Harting’s journey to creating All Things Sheared, a Stillwater retail shop brimming with alpaca wool products and more, began in 2016 when she and her late partner, Dawn Stewart, moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Duluth. The two busy physicians “just needed a change of pace” from the daily stress of working in medicine, Harting says, so they purchased some acreage near the North Shore.
“We went and met our first alpaca together in 2018,” Harting says. “We fell in love with a little boy named Matteo. He was 4 days old.” Almost before they knew it, they had 20 alpacas—and were bitten by the bug. “Alpacas are adorable, but they’re also one of the most sustainable animals,” Harting says. “They have feet—not hooves—so they have a light footprint. They can be sheared every single year, and we take that renewable resource and turn it into products we can sell. We use every single piece of fleece that we shear.”
Sterling Grace, Huacaya alpaca: Grace is full of personality and is a show alpaca. Her beautiful crimped fleece has won her many awards.
In 2019, the couple relocated to River Falls, Wisconsin, and converted a horse farm into Eagle Eye Farm. In addition to around 60 alpacas, they added sheep, Highland cattle, Kunekune pigs, chickens, tiny goats, bunnies and even kangaroos. The farm opened to visitors in October 2020, driven by requests from families eager to reconnect after months of pandemic isolation.
“It was a heartfelt experience for us and for the families,” Harting says. “Grandparents got to see their grandkids for the first time in months.” Visitors can take tours, meet the animals, attend camps and more.
Annabelle, Valais Blacknose sheep: Annabelle was the first lamb born on Eagle Eye Farm when she surprised everyone by appearing in the pasture one morning.
As part of the agritourism experience, Eagle Eye Farm also launched a farm store on site, featuring products made from their animals’ fleece. “We shear once a year in May,” Harting says. “A mill in Iowa washes and processes the fleece into yarn or other finished products.” Even the coarsest fleece is used, often for bird nesting globes.
Stewart passed away unexpectedly in 2023, and Harting decided to honor her by leaning into the farm they had worked so hard to build. And last March, Harting opened All Things Sheared in Stillwater, which includes products and goods from the farm and local partner vendors.
Wilma, Miniature Highland cow: Wilma, a red and white cow, is social and calm. She loves getting brushed.
Alpaca wool gloves, hats and insoles are just a few items from the farm. Harting also makes beauty products through her business Farmgirl Fab Skincare, sells honey from the farm’s Soaring Bee Apiary and has even created a space for her teen daughter, Berkli Dias, to sell fresh juice through her business, Freshness in a Bottle.
The farm and store are deeply personal projects for Harting. “Seeing people delight in the animals is so rewarding,” she says. “The animals give back more than what you ever give to them—they’re therapy for the soul.”
All Things Sheared
125 S. Main St., Stillwater; 715.441.0374
Facebook: All Things Sheared
Instagram: @allthingssheared
Eagle Eye Farm
N7802 County Road F, River Falls, Wisconsin; 314.707.4889
Facebook: Eagle Eye Farm
Instagram: @eagleeyefarmwi
