Since beginning research collaborations in Peru in 2010, Dr. Maria Wurzinger has focused on improving the sustainability and productivity of alpaca and llama production in the Andes. Current projects include a recently completed life-cycle assessment of alpaca fiber production, which examined the environmental footprint of the industry. New research is now underway to measure methane emissions from alpacas and llamas under extensive rangeland conditions, with the long-term goal of developing breeding strategies for more efficient animals. Another project uses a participatory approach to help llama farmers in southern Peru co-develop breeding programs that support stronger economic outcomes and improved rural livelihoods.
The research is made possible through long-standing collaborations with the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, where Dr. Wurzinger serves as a guest professor, as well as partnerships with the NGO DESCOSUR and members of Peru's textile industry. Through research focused on herd management, animal performance, and sustainable production systems, the work aims to support farmers in improving their livelihoods.
These long-standing partnerships with local universities, industry leaders, and farming communities paved the way for the “Alpaca Textile Industry in Peru: From the Farm to the Store” study abroad program, which created a unique learning opportunity. Eight students participated in the first offering of this program in spring 2026.
Through the trusted local connections, students in the study abroad program gained access to organizations and facilities that are often difficult for visitors to enter, including textile factories that process alpaca fiber and the renowned Pacomarca research station in the high Andes. At Pacomarca, students encountered more than 2,000 alpacas, including the rare black alpaca, while learning firsthand about breeding, management, and fiber production. Beyond site visits, students actively engaged with topics connected to the faculty member’s research. Participants gained practical experience observing alpaca farm management and joined informal discussions that encouraged reflection on the alpaca production systems and the challenges and opportunities of rural communities in the Andes.
"Being exposed to a new culture, new food, and a new language cannot be taught in a classroom," Dr. Wurzinger noted. While students often prepare extensively before departure, many report that concepts only fully come to life after seeing Peru's landscapes, infrastructure, and production systems firsthand.
The program's impact extends beyond the study abroad experience itself. One student's interest in alpacas and llamas as well as her own experience as a llama owner in the United States, led her to join a related research project in Iowa after her study abroad experience in Peru. After earning a Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Research Scholarship, she became an active member of the AVENUE (Animal Fiber Valorization within a Circular Economy Framework) research team, demonstrating how study abroad inspires students to pursue meaningful research and sparks global agricultural engagement.
The Alpaca Textile Industry in Peru: From the Farm to the Store is currently accepting applications for Spring 2027.