ZigOn Community Values
Ed Shipman is a throwback to those people who believe in free enterprise, independence, hard work, faith, commitment and responsibility. Mr. Shipman is also the principal of a school that he and his wife started over twenty years ago, when they took in five teenage foster children. Today, Happy Hills Farm, located just outside of Granbury, Texas, is a widely praised Christian boarding school and working farm for kids with behavioral and academic problems. The staff includes a psychologist and the facility is situated on over 500 beautifully kept acres.
Mr. Shipman refuses to accept any governmental help because he wants the complete independence of teaching the children ethical values based on a spiritual foundation, which he does without apology. It's his conviction that if there were fewer "throw-away" governmental programs, there would be more Happy Hill Farms all over America.
Ed Shipman is a most persuasive, effective, persistent fund-raiser for the three million dollar plus annual budget required to fund the school. He abhors waste and draws a modest $45,000 annual salary. The Farm raises nearly half the food consumed by the students and staff. The students dress in uniforms comprised of casual polo shirts and khaki pants and skirts. Incidentally, these uniforms are handed down to the younger students. He insists on accountability. Happy Hill is licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Something like 70% of these troubled, temporarily academically disadvantaged students go on to college.
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The example set by Mr. Shipman and his wife is one that the kids love to emulate. Consistency of effort, hard work and strong ethical and moral principles founded on his faith have proven to be a winning combination. Sounds like a good formula for others to follow in their communities. This is one that works.
