About Us
Walnut Ridge Llama Farm is located in a peaceful farming community just outside Greeneville, in the northeast corner of East Tennessee near the borders of North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia. Set on approximately 26 scenic acres, the farm features a truly breathtaking, million-dollar view of the Smoky Mountains, stretching across the horizon and creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable farm experience.
Walnut Ridge Llama Farm locally known as “The Llama Farm” is owned and operated by Jerry and Carolyn Ayers, a husband-and-wife team who have spent decades building a life centered around education, creativity, animals, and the land. Jerry served as a teacher and high school principal for 32 years before retiring in June 2017. Retirement allowed him to devote more time to farming and new ventures, including building the Lazy Llama Campground. While the campground was a rewarding experience, it proved to be more work than anticipated and was sold in April 2021, followed by the sale of their original 16-acre llama farm in Chuckey in October 2024.
That transition led to a fresh start and the realization of a long-held dream. Jerry and Carolyn purchased their current 26-acre farm just outside Greeneville and have spent the past two years building a custom barndominium and thoughtfully designed llama farm. Unlike many barndominiums, their barndo is a comfortable home attached to a true working barn that houses their momma llamas and crias (baby llamas), allowing them to live alongside the animals they love.
The farm includes a newly built 42′ x 48′ herdsire barn with six spacious 12′ stalls, each with its own paddock. Adult female llamas are housed in a large 36′ x 72′ barn that was already on the property, blending the farm’s original character with modern functionality. Every structure was designed with the comfort, safety, and well-being of the llamas in mind.
Carolyn is a retired high school art teacher and accomplished fiber artist who retired from teaching in June 2021. Over the years, the Ayers have raised many animals—goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, and horses—but everything changed in 1998 when they purchased their first llamas. Originally a city girl from Jacksonville, Florida, Carolyn once avoided barn life unless baby animals were being born. Today, the running joke at Walnut Ridge is, “Before llamas, Jerry couldn’t get Carolyn to go to the barn—but now he can’t get her to come back to the house.”
Now retired and with their children grown, Jerry and Carolyn enjoy sharing their passion with others. Walnut Ridge Llama Farm offers guided farm tours, birthday parties, family reunions, school and church field trips, summer art camps, and spinning and weaving classes that highlight the beauty and versatility of llama fiber. Whether guests are visiting for education, celebration, or creativity, every experience is designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and unforgettable.
Married for more than 45 years, the Ayers have spent over half their lives raising llamas together. Walnut Ridge Llama Farm is more than a destination—it’s the story of a shared passion, a lifelong partnership, and a place where people come to slow down, connect, and fall in love with llamas just as they did.
