A letter from our founder and lead rancher, John Helle

November 14, 2022 1 min read

A letter from our founder and lead rancher, John Helle

Howdy,

I want to take a moment to introduce myself: I'm John Helle, third-generation rancher and Duckworth founder.

In my 58 years of sheep ranching here in Montana, I've learned a couple things that - when combined - have served as a North Star for everything we do here at Duckworth since our 2014 launch:

  • Take pride in your work
  • Talk less and say more
  • When you make a promise, keep it
  • Know where to draw the line

As a Merino Wool producer, I was sick of getting second-rate performance out of competitors' wool products while working the ranch. I was tired of knowing American manufacturing communities are hurting while competitors maximize profits on the backs of cheap and undignified overseas labor. I was frustrated by all the "green washing" that made it seem like competitors were doing good by the land when their supply chains painted a far different picture.

So I started Duckworth with those values and that fire at my back, launching a new era in performance gear with my very own Montana-grown Merino - in my humble opinion, some of the finest fleece on the planet.

If you're on the fence, know this: When you score a piece of Duckworth, you're not just investing in a garment that performs to the demands of a Montana ranch - blistering heat, freezing winters, and everything in between. You're investing in a story and values impossible to find anywhere else.

Montana-grown. American-made. Sustainably-forged. Every time.

Sincerely,
John