Jim McRae is one of Vermont’s most respected shearers (and border collie trainers), he is also a photographer. He is skilled and experienced at the very difficult and very physical art of shearing. It is a joy to watch him work, and at the Open House, he also told wonderful stories about shearing and about it’s history, dangers and challenges. I could listen to him a dozen times, and if I’m lucky, I just might.

We opened up the pasture so Open House visitors could stand outside of the pole barn and watch. They were mesmerized. Above, he trims Liam, the wether.