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Keagan Jessen, 13, is carrying on a family 4-H tradition of sheep showing at the Rock County Fair, his fifth year.
He has taken his sheep to the Minnesota State Fair each year, and it appears he has a lock on a state trip this year as well.
The son of Matt and Trisha Jessen is the only Rock County 4-H’er showing sheep at this year’s county fair.
“It’s not going to be as fun as unusual,” Jessen said. “I like to compete.”
The lack of competition hasn’t stopped the soon-to-be Luverne eighth-grader from working with his speckled-and white-faced ewes for the show ring.
“I kind of like doing the work,” Jessen said. “I like to see how I am improving.”
Jessen is a multi-generation 4-H’er with at least two of those generations focused on raising and showing sheep themselves.
His mom, Tricia (Drew), showed sheep in Murray County, following in the footsteps of her dad, Bruce Drew.
The sheep Keagan is bringing to this week’s Rock County Fair were born and raised on the Drew farm.
Sheep numbers down for several reasons
The lack of homegrown resources has influenced the decline in the number of livestock at the Rock County Fair and other county fairs across Minnesota.
“Livestock projects in general are a big commitment,” said Rock County 4-H director Kelsey Maeschen.
“Between working with and caring for animals, it’s a lot of work both financially and time-wise. I think that might be part of what’s hindering youth to get involved in those project areas.”
The coronavirus pandemic also contributed to the decline of 4-H’ers bringing projects to the fair in general.
Most county fairs, along with the Minnesota State Fair, were canceled in 2020.
Locally, the 4-H program organized livestock showcases with 4-H’ers bringing animals to the fairgrounds with only family members allowed to attend the showcases in person.
“I think it is because of Covid that everybody dropped out,” said Matt Jessen. “That hurt numbers big time — kids found other things to do. It is a lot of work. You can’t learn this overnight.”
The sheep industry itself struggled during the pandemic with low wool prices and decline in meat demand.
“If you don’t raise them, I feel like the prices for show animals have skyrocketed,” Trisha Jessen said.
Prices for show lambs have risen into the four figures. “You’ll never make that money back,” she added.
She said three incoming Cloverbuds will participate this year and will be old enough to compete in the sheep show ring next year.
One of those Cloverbuds is Keagan’s brother, Landon, and in a few years younger brother Levi will join them.
For this week’s show, Keagan is focused on putting out his best effort as he continues the family 4-H tradition.
“I want to make my mom proud because she used to do it,” he said.
The fair’s livestock show schedule
Wednesday
•Poultry, 3 p.m.
•Rabbit, 5 p.m.
Thursday
•Swine, 8 a.m.
•Goat, 10 a.m.
•Dairy, 11 a.m.
•Sheep, 1 p.m.
Friday
•Horse, 8:30 a.m.
•Pet, 5 p.m.
Saturday
•Ribbon auction, 9 a.m.
•Premier showmanship, 4 p.m.
•Parade of champions, 6 p.m.