Otto Washing the Sheep

We have five nephews living within two miles of us, and they all share our love of sheep. Our three children grew up raising and showing sheep at the local county fair as well as larger shows in the Northeast and Midwest. My wife and I both grew up on farms and found raising animals to be a great life lesson.

An enormous amount of work goes into showing a sheep. That work starts months before the first show and does not stop until the last show is finished. Walking the sheep every day starts the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd.

Cole Walking the Sheep

Learning the Ropes

My wife, Alicia, is the shepherd of the family. Most mornings in the spring and summer, when I look up towards the barn, I see my wife and two of my nephews walking the sheep. Showing sheep involves walking around an arena and presenting the sheep to a judge. That judge looks at the quality of the sheep, the professionalism of the shepherd, and the way the two of them work together.

Cooper and Tucker Working with the Sheep

Cole Preparing to Show

My Son Jackson Helping His Cousin Otto

Cooper and His Sheep Being Judged

Tucker Listening to the Judge

Our Youngest Nephew, Finn Thinking About Future Fairs

We start training the sheep and shepherds early.

Photos by Alicia Crisp, Justin Randall, and Katie Hynes    Curated Brochure by Crisp Architects: Portfolio

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