about me
Living the Country Life with Heart and Purpose
Hi there! I’m Leslie, the heart and hands behind Drummond Farms Alpacas and Woolens. My farm isn’t just a place—it’s a reflection of my love for animals, fiber arts, and sustainable living.
I’ve been raising Suri and Huacaya alpacas since 2008. These gentle creatures are at the heart of what I do. With plenty of care, clean shelters, and a healthy diet, they thrive here. Their soft, luxurious fiber inspires my weaving and spinning projects. Using tools like my spinning wheels, Ashford rigid heddle loom, and LeClerc Nilus floor loom, I turn that fiber into beautiful, functional art. It’s a process I truly love, blending creativity with craftsmanship.
But alpacas aren’t the only animals that call Drummond Farms home. My horses bring charm and companionship to the farm. They enjoy a routine of exercise, balanced nutrition, and regular farrier visits.
We also have chickens—cold-hardy laying hens and cleanly raised meat birds. They roam freely in safe enclosures and are cared for with love. Their fresh eggs and high-quality meat reflect our commitment to ethical farming.
Helping me keep the farm running smoothly are my two black lab mixes. They’re affectionate companions and excellent guardians. Our barn cats play their part too, keeping the rodent population under control. On our farm, every animal has an important role.
When I’m not with the animals, you’ll likely find me in the garden. I’m a natural organic gardener—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s how I’ve always done things. Growing vegetables, canning, dehydrating, and baking bring me joy that never fades.
Before starting farm life, I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. I studied nursing at Henry Ford Community College before following my passion for education. I earned my degree in K-8 education and early childhood development at Western Michigan University. I even homeschooled my five children, which deepened my love for teaching.
Over the years, I’ve also shared my expertise in the alpaca community. I’ve served as Education Chair for the Upper Midwest Alpacas association and as Volunteer Coordinator for the Minnesota Alpaca Expo. Mentoring new alpaca owners and connecting with others in the community is something I truly enjoy.
Drummond Farms is my little slice of heaven. It’s where every day brings new challenges, creative projects, and the simple joys of living close to the land. Thanks for stopping by—I’d love to hear from you and share a bit of this special life with you!
"Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, But he with a chuckle replied That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried." - Edgar Guest
Drummond Farms - Why the Name?
My Scottish Heritage
People often ask, “With a name like Peterson, how did you come up with Drummond Farms?” The answer’s pretty simple—it all ties back to my family roots! On my side of the family, we’re a mix of Scottish, English, and Irish, with the Scottish heritage tracing back to the Drummond clan from the Perthshire area of Scotland.
The Drummond name originally comes from a little parish called Drymen, nestled in Western Stirlingshire. Over the years, our family has embraced and celebrated this connection to Scotland through Highland dancing, bagpiping, and drumming. It’s a big part of who we are and something we’re really proud of.
Our Tartan
We proudly wear the “Drummond of Perth – Old and Rare” tartan as our official family tartan. It’s a stunning design that connects us to our Scottish heritage and has become a special symbol for our family. That said, we’ve also enjoyed exploring other variations of the Drummond tartan over the years. Whether it’s been for Highland dancing or just for fun, these different patterns have added a little variety to our celebrations. Below, you’ll see some of the tartan designs we’ve worn, starting with the official family tartan.
Take a moment to watch our two sons compete at the World Pipeband Championships in Glasgow, Scotland (2014) playing with the St. Thomas Alumni Pipeband out of Texas.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p024xrs6
Our oldest gets a great profile shot at the 34 second mark; our youngest is the tall tenor drummer with his back to the bass drum player.
