The South Dakota State Fair Foundation has undertaken a fundraising venture to encourage donations for an Open Class Sheep building at the State Fairgrounds.

Each day, one person impacted by the future building will be featured. Today, Scott Kilber shares his family’s experiences at the South Dakota State Fair and the sheep barn.

Q. Why are you excited for The SHED?

A. The S.D. State Fair has always been a good opportunity for me to interact with non-ag people that are curious about agriculture. The new SHED will be in a much better location on the fairgrounds to increase foot traffic through the barn, thus increasing the contact with people not familiar with sheep.  

I enjoy explaining why we raise sheep and telling our story. People are always amazed at the wool and how it feels. Talking to them about eating lamb and the high quality meat that sheep produce usually has them wanting to try some. The older generation also stops and visits and usually they have some memory of sheep when they were growing up that they like to share.  

The importance of sharing our story as sheep producers or livestock producers in general has never been more important as more and more people become further removed from agriculture.  

Q. If you have a memory of the former Open Class Sheep Complex, please share!

A. I remember showing Southdowns as a kid back in the mid-80s in the old sheep barn. We were the amateurs back then being fairly new to the sheep business and definitely new to the Southdown breed. I am glad my kids were all able to exhibit our sheep in the old sheep barn. I also am looking forward to watching my younger kids and someday my grandkids show in the new SHED.

‘Spotlight on The SHED’ is a five day series that focuses on The SHED, the future home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds and serve as a multi-purpose facility for other livestock and equine events outside of the fair. The ‘Spotlight’ will feature sheep exhibitors and other users of the facility and their excitement for The SHED, and also recount memories of the Open Class Sheep Complex.

The ‘Raise The Shed’ campaign includes several donor opportunities for all donation levels including show arena naming rights and donor wall sponsorships. For more information on the project and how to donate, visit: www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.