Any farmer will tell you that people like Fred DePaul are an endangered species, as are small farms. They work brutally hard, charge little, have a passion for their work that transcends notions of modern life and security. They hurt themselves, earn little, face cold, dangerous conditions, long hours and work on every single animal with knowledge and concern, as if it were their own. Any farmer will tell you that one day soon, there will not be people like Fred DePaul around, and that will be tragic, not only for me and my farm but for the idealism,  way of life and integrity he represents. Thanks, Fred.

and by all accounts, he is about the best there is at doing. I can testify to that.

Fred was much impressed by Izzy’s calm and businesslike demeanor. For his part, Izzy seemed mesmerized by his first shearing. Too close quarters for Rose, she would have made the sheep jumpy. Izzy helped walk them out, keep them cornered. Was very responsive. If things got rough, I would have gone for Rose. They didn’t.