We have set this page up so that when you click on a link it opens a new window or "tab". You can wander around the other site(s) for as long as you want and simply (close your eyes, click the heels of your ruby slippers together) close the tab and you are back here ready to go on your next adventure. If you want to, you can even say, "There's no place like Vermont" while you are clicking. :)

Since we are not a large company simply interested in selling you our products we thought we would give you an opportunity to learn a little bit about us, where we live and work, and meet some of our friends and colleagues. So, take a break from the hectic pace of shopping on line (and someone told you it was easier than going to the mall, ha!), meet some of the people and visit some of the places that make Vermont a nice place to live. 

This is our "never finished" page so stop back by on occasion and see who/what we have added. Links are added because they mean something. We are not into exchanging lots of links with folks just to make money on advertising like so many others.

The Internet is more than just a place to shop, it is an opportunity to get to know other people and places around the world. If you purchase something from us that's great. If not, that is quite all right as well. Since so many people now  shop by sitting in front of a "d... computer"  we all sacrifice the opportunity to interact with other "real people". Here in Vermont such interaction is still a very important part of all of our communities so, pretend you are a tourist, and we will gladly "chat" a bit over our store counter and help you establish an itinerary.

Because this is a virtual store chat we can't really assume you know anything about the place you are visiting. However, by now almost everyone has at least heard of Vermont (USA). Vermont has gotten its fair share of national/international publicity in the last few years. Civil Unions,  "Maybe Mad Sheep", Independent Senator Jim Jeffords, former presidential hopeful Howard Dean, and poor old Buster the Bunny have served to get us into the headlines on occasion. Then there was Bill O'Reilly and his call for a boycott of everything Vermont because of the Judge Cashman issue. Next it was Brattleboro and its nude teens (and, eventually, tourists) running around town.  Yes, more recent news is that our own Springfield won the competition to host the premiere of the Simpson's movie. Congratulations Springfield.

For those of you who don't know, (no, we are not specifically referring to international visitors) Vermont, the tiny little BLUE State on the map, population a whopping 622,000, is in the northeast corner of the United States and the 14th State to join that union (after we flirted with Quebec a bit) so our quarter was released in 2001. Of course we might also be the first to leave but that would make way too many people happy. Vermont is the only State in "New England" that doesn't border the  Atlantic Ocean but we did border a "Great Lake" for a short time. Congress giveth and Congress taketh away as soon as they realize what they have done. :) Want to come and visit? Well, better bring a map (you remember, that multi-folded piece of paper with lines on it) as trusting your gps will yield interesting results. Of course it could have been worse, they were able to use their cell phone to call out. Advice, don't expect your cell phone to always work either.

Vermont is home to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company® , Green Mountain Coffee Roasters® (a company to be very proud of of but be we really are scratching our head over all those plastic K-cups they are pushing) and, of course, Ben and Jerry's Homemade®. Alas, Ben and Jerry don't own the place anymore 'cause they sold out to Unilever. Stock holder pressure strikes again. But, partially at the urging of Ben and Jerry, VT has instituted a law which would allow "benefit corporations" so that "doing good" does not have to be overshadowed by "maximizing shareholder value".
Vermont's biggest employer, believe it or not, is IBM. The largest employer in our area is a large, privately owned, grocery wholesaler who controls a lot more of the food supply for the United States then you would be comfortable knowing about. But after one wades through the top layer of well known and mega-employers, one discovers that Vermont, both economically and socially, still revolves around very small itinerant businesses like our own, agricultural enterprises, tiny little corner stores,  and a large number of people who have come up with very creative ways to make a living. 

Agriculture has always been very important to Vermont  but it encompasses much more than the milk cows and maple trees that most people associate with Vermont agriculture. The "family farm" as a rule has diversified a great deal as a matter of "agri-survival". Agri-Tourisim is not a new concept to Vermont farmers nor is organic (true organic) farming. Granted, you might see more cows than other types of livestock but the pastures are grazed by everything from llamas to angora goats. As you wander through the fields and the forests be sure to spend a moment of your time at some of these farms.

Sheep are not as big a part of the landscape as they once were (1.6 million of them) but sheep, related products, and related businesses do contribute visually and economically to our little State. We feel a great attachment to all those we know whose livelihood is based upon sheep and/or their fibers and are pleased that they have accepted us into their "fold".  Sheep cheese, hand spun wool or wool blends, fresh organic lamb or even a spinnery to spin the wool from your own sheep, are all a part of the "business" of sheep. Please stop by these "locations" and say hello for us.

Vermont is also home to many fine artisans, artists, writers, and musicians who, like those on the farms, just don't like the thought of  working for that grocery wholesaler, IBM, or nameless others.  For better or worse independence is preferable. Of course, none of us would be able to survive off of the income we generate locally so we have always pursued customers in other states and regions mostly by spending half our weekends "on the road". (You don't think writers spend any time "on the road". Consider all those book signings.) It was just natural for many to embrace the Internet as a new method of showing the world what we can and do produce while, at the same time, reducing our gasoline consumption.

Shepherd's Flock ® is a blend of a lot of those little pieces, many of which are noted above. We are located in the southern most part of the State in Windham County, an area that Montpelier (our seat of government) considers part of Massachusetts or, in local speak, "the Banana Republic". Looking for a good source for news in the area? Try the Commons, local reporters and solid  local news.  Townshend, the place we call home, is located in the West River Valley slightly northwest of Brattleboro. We have a large number of friends and associates who utilize the global reach of this medium yet retain the small town spirit. The good people at Mary Meyer Toys are great folks to "talk shop" with and the Townshend Elementary School has played a part in educating both our children. Spend just a moment of your time to meet a few others in our area.

Our friends and associates are more than just those who live and work in Vermont. A couple of the links below are extended family. Others are simply past customers, (a special thanks to Claudia's Knitting Blog for her assorted posts, as well as many other "bloggers" over the years) people whom we have gotten to know at the festivals/shows we have done or folks we have never met in person but have been kind enough to link directly to our site because........ Well, only they really know why they linked to us. Please visit them and tell them we sent you. No, we don't make any money when you "click" on their site but the Internet being what it is, it is always nice to know that we little folks stick together.  

Have a very pleasant day and a good, safe trip. Thanks for stopping in and always feel free to return.  Brattleboro is a short drive south. Turn right at the first light and then left between (underneath) the buildings to access the famous nude parking lot. There is an ordinance which now prohibits such behavior but you can tune in to iBrattleboro for the latest updates on what is happening in our neighbor to the south. Who knows what they will come up with next?