Shepherds are Superheroes: Valencian Falla Celebrates Rural Way of Life

Our co-founder Michele Buster has devoted a lot of time this year to “Save the Shepherd,” a cause that addresses the crisis facing shepherds around the world. As one generation of shepherds is aging out with no one wanting to take over, there are many challenges facing those who choose the profession. What’s at risk? Many beloved cheeses, of course, but an entire rural way of life is at stake, and with it, centuries of knowledge about the animals and environment.

Michele has been traveling throughout Europe, talking to shepherds and cheesemakers as well as politicians and press; anyone who can help address these issues. She has participated in conferences, bringing awareness to the problem and the major consequences of doing nothing. With more people aware, there are more minds that can creatively come up with solutions of how to combat the loss of shepherds.

To bring awareness to a wide audience, she has helped design a falla – essentially a temporary sculpture with a topical theme displayed in the streets of Valencia during their popular Fallas in March – that honors the life and work of shepherds in Spain. The prototype for the falla was recently debuted in Valencia, showcasing shepherds as superheroes. The reception was enthusiastic, with a lot of current and former farmers saying how much it resonated with them. We can’t wait to see the finished product in March and are grateful to Michele for her advocacy of shepherds and their way of life, without whom Forever Cheese would not exist.