He loves being a sheep rancher. Heâs done it for 30 years and counting.
âI like being out here. I like working for myself,â Peterson says. âI taught school for 3 years, I poured concrete and did construction work as we worked into the sheep biz. Youâre your own boss. I have to remind myself, going up to herderâs camps, be happy and be thankful. You could be in an office somewhere or still pouring concrete.â
Petersonâs wife, Anita, has Basque roots, a deep connection to the sheep industry.
âMy wife and I grew up in Idaho as kids. Anywhere you went camping, you usually had to drive through bands of sheep,â he says. âI was always fascinated by it. Thought itâd be a fun way to make a living. Fun is not the right word probably, but itâs always been interesting, you know.â