McHenry County Fair a family tradition for Woodstock sheep breeder

Donna Douglas brought 17 of her 34 Shropshire sheep to show Friday at the McHenry County Fair in Woodstock. It's her 22nd year of showing sheep, but the born-and-raised resident of Woodstock started her county fair career with dairy cows back when she was a 9-year-old in 4-H. She grew up on a farm just six miles from the fairgrounds.

"I love to promote the fairs because that's where people get a chance to see agriculture hands-on," Douglas said.

"Now most kids read about it in a book and it isn't reality until you actually throw a bale of hay or work with an animal or plant something in the ground and watch it grow ... then you understand what agriculture is."

Douglas had help showing her flock from several family members, including her 6-year-old granddaughter, Emma Douglas, also of Woodstock. Although Emma isn't old enough to be a 4-H member, (kids can join at 9) she has sheep at home and has been helping her grandmother in the show ring since she was 3. She also helps get them ready the day before a show by washing, drying and grooming them.

"I like to come to every fair," Emma said. "It's fun to show sheep. ... They baa-haa a lot. They're silly."

Douglas says she enjoys working with sheep not only for their personalities, but "I also love the competition in doing the genetics and the background and the feeding to get my sheep to the point where they're competitive. It's not that you have to win, but it's what you've done to improve your flock."

The McHenry County Fair continues through Sunday. Go to mchenrycountyfair.com for more information.