We recently connected with Bari Padgett and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bari, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name The Artsy Farmer came from combining two of the things I’m most passionate about—agriculture and art. I already had two established businesses: Paragon Alpacas, focused on raising exceptional alpacas, and Bari Rhys Art & Design, my fine art studio. But I wanted something that brought these two parts of my life together in a way that could build community and create space for people to connect with nature, animals, and creativity. The Artsy Farmer was born out of that vision—and in many ways, it’s quite literally just a descriptor of who I am!

Bari, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Bari Rhys. I’m an artist, alpaca breeder, and the founder of The Artsy Farmer. My journey into both agriculture and art started back in 1998, when my parents, Neil and Jo Padgett, and I—just 10 years old at the time—decided to leave city life behind and dive headfirst into something totally new: alpaca farming.

We didn’t have a background in farming, but we went for it anyway. We retrofitted an old horse barn, built fences, and by the summer of 1999, we welcomed our first five alpacas. That was the beginning of A Paca Fun Farm. Not long after, I started my own breeding program—Paragon Alpacas—which grew right alongside our family herd.

Over the next two decades, both programs blossomed. Our herds earned national recognition and eventually grew to around 180 animals. In 2007, we moved to our current farm in Montgomery County, Maryland—a space we designed from the ground up with the animals’ comfort and the humans’ wellbeing in mind. Today, A Paca Fun Farm and Paragon Alpacas are known throughout the industry for producing award-winning alpacas that now contribute to breeding programs across the country and beyond.

But for me, farming has always been more than just raising animals—it’s been a constant source of creative energy. I’ve been drawn to the arts for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid, I always had a brush, pen, or some kind of creative tool in hand. That love of art eventually led to the launch of Bari Rhys Art & Design, where I create original artwork, accessories, home décor, and functional pieces—working in all kinds of styles and media.

At the same time, working with alpaca fiber pulled me into the world of fiber arts—spinning, felting, knitting, crocheting—all of it. I fell in love with the process of turning something raw and natural into something beautiful, tactile, and handmade. And eventually, that blend of creativity and farm life became The Artsy Farmer—a space where art and agriculture not only coexist, but actually fuel and inspire each other.

Through The Artsy Farmer, I offer experiences that connect people to animals, creativity, and the land. That includes farm tours, hands-on alpaca experiences, fiber arts workshops, photography excursions, community nights, and seasonal creative classes. The boutique sells products made from alpaca fleece (many made right here on-site), as well as my own artwork and handcrafted items by other local makers.

My goal with The Artsy Farmer is to let people experience art and design right in the place that inspires it—whether that’s through traditional fine art, handcrafted pieces made from our alpacas’ fleece, or just being on the farm itself. I also want to build a space that supports and celebrates local farmers, growers, and fellow artists—a true creative community rooted in nature.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2017, I faced an unexpected turning point when I developed chronic pain in my wrists and arms. Simple tasks like gripping a brush or pen became painful, which was incredibly challenging given that my artwork had always featured high detail and fine linework. At first, it felt like a major setback. But out of that frustration came an experiment—finger painting. What started as a way to keep creating despite the physical limitations quickly evolved into a whole new artistic direction. I discovered that not only did painting with my fingers ease the strain on my wrists, but it also opened up a completely different, more expressive style of painting. That shift didn’t just help me keep going—it changed the trajectory of my work. The unique style that emerged through this technique has resonated with a wide range of collectors. Since then, my work has been featured in magazines, licensed for everything from building murals to personal tattoos, and now lives in boutique shops and private homes across the U.S. and internationally. What began as a necessary pivot ended up redefining my creative style—and in many ways, it’s been one of the most rewarding shifts in my artistic journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Farming is definitely not for the faint of heart! While there’s nothing more rewarding than sitting in a green pasture surrounded by a healthy, happy herd of alpacas, the reality behind those peaceful moments is a lot of hard work, unpredictability, and perseverance. There have been plenty of challenges—like bottle-feeding a baby alpaca at 2 a.m. when it’s 5 degrees outside, or trying to rescue a truck stuck in the mud during two straight weeks of rain, only to have the tractor sink too. Those kinds of moments test your patience, grit, and problem-solving skills on a daily basis. But it’s exactly those challenges that have built my resilience. Farming teaches you to think on your feet, adapt quickly, and stay calm in the face of setbacks—all of which have translated into how I run every aspect of my businesses. Whether it’s art, animal care, or entrepreneurship, the lessons in problem solving and perseverance learned through farming have served me well!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theartsyfarmer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.artsy.farmer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtsyFarmer/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartsyfarmer

Image Credits

All images were taken by myself, Bari Rhys.