The Continuity of a Thousand-Year-Old Sheep Farming Tradition

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The longevity of a traditional sheep herding practice, dating back at least a thousand years and possibly four and a half thousand years, showcases the resilience and living history of the community. The speaker feels a deep connection to this age-old tradition, realizing that every stone or wall he handles was touched by his ancestors or someone like him. This thought challenges modern economic thinking, which focuses heavily on individual happiness and utility.

James Rebanks's family has raised sheep in the same small English village for at least four centuries. There are records of people with his same last name going back a few hundred more. Even his sheep are rooted in place: their DNA is from Viking times. It's enough to make anyone feel insignificant--and according to Rebanks, that's a wonderful thing. Listen as the author of The Shepherd's Life speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the deep pleasures and humbling privilege of being a sheep farmer.