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Joel and Kristi (Swalve) Hantelman of rural Albert Lea began their alpaca business, Guardian Angels Ranch about one year ago. On Oct. 31, they competed in the Mid-America Alpaca Show and received a first-place ribbon for Synergy’s Gabriel. Gabriel is the first alpaca the couple have raised from birth. Joel and Kristi raise show-quality black suri (long, silky fiber) alpacas. They currently have three breeding females and one juvenile male. Synergy’s Gabriel will be competing in several shows over the next few months, including The Minnesota Alpaca Expo in Owatonna next April.