Born and raised in Fountain Green, Brad has always known the land, the people, and the way of life that comes with both. After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany, Brad returned home and married Brenda Olsen of Mt. Pleasant. It didn’t take long for him to bring her home to Fountain Green, where he was certain he wanted to raise his family.

As a young husband, Brad worked for the Fountain Green Irrigation Co., where he played a key role in installing the irrigation lines that still serve the community today. But it was never just about water for Brad–his heart was always with the sheep. After a few short stints in other occupations, he joined his father and brother in running the Aagard family sheep operation, a legacy with humble beginnings: his great-grandfather traded a pocket watch for a young ewe, planting the seeds of a multigenerational livelihood.

“Sheep ranching is more than a job,” Brad has often said. “It’s a way of life–and quite possibly, the best life ever.”

Brad’s deep pride in his work stemmed not only from the satisfaction of raising livestock but also from providing valuable fiber and food to the community and beyond. From the winters on the West Desert to summers in Strawberry Valley, Brad’s steady presence and hard work have helped shape the agricultural heart of Fountain Green.

For Brad, ranching was also about teaching. Alongside his father and brother, he helped employ and mentor many of Fountain Green’s youth, showing them the value of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. Whether young or old, experienced or green, Brad treated everyone with the same quiet respect–and he extended that same egalitarian spirit to the sheep he cared for.

“He never discriminated by age, gender, or color,” one neighbor joked. “All sheep were treated equally under Brad’s watch.”

But beyond the fields and foothills, Brad also gave back to his town through public service, serving as a City Councilman and on the Planning & Zoning Committee. His sharp mind, sense of humor, and natural warmth made him a respected and beloved community member.

Brad and Brenda raised four daughters–Alyson (Nathan) Strait, Jenny (Ben) Cox, Amanda (Brandon) Brady, and Jessica (Coby) Knudsen–each of whom he proudly claims were “the best sheep hands he ever had.” Today, his growing posterity includes 10 granddaughters and 8 grandsons, all of whom hold a special place in his heart.

Despite long stretches away from home out on the range, Brad always remained deeply tied to his family and his hometown. And when cancer entered his life 18 years ago, the community he served so faithfully came together to support him in return. Through it all, Brad has remained a symbol of resilience–maintaining his signature humor, generosity, and ever-present love for Fountain Green.

“Crossing the divide or coming through the hollow back to Fountain Green has always felt like coming home,” Brad says. “It’s the best place in the world for this weary sheepherder.”

This year, as he rides at the head of the Lamb Days parade, Fountain Green honors not just a man but a way of life–one built on hard work, quiet service, and deep-rooted community love. Being named Grand Marshal is more than a title for Brad Aagard. It’s a recognition of a life well lived, and of a legacy that continues to echo across the hills and hollows of Sanpete County.

Congratulations, Brad–and thank you for leading the way.