The (nearly) lost art of the sheep dog

Here's another story of urban intrusion into the rural -- well, into a formerly rural practice or art. What an irony that an architect and an accountant, who appear to be in the category of those who "have sheep to entertain our dogs," are taking top prizes in an institution like the Mendocino County Fair's sheep dog finals. Only two sheep ranchers (one from Yolo County) actually competed this year. Note also the Mendocino County Native, Dr. Colfax, who says of the competition, “It’s what everyone wants America to look like. It’s an illusion we all collectively embrace.” This piece is also worth reading for the history of sheep ranching in the U.S. in the last century -- which is part of the history of California agriculture.