Over the years, Jared Frieze spent most of his time in the Sheep Pavilion at the Missouri State Fair with a young exhibitor at his heels. He would invite them to show with him during any given 4-H, FFA or open sheep show. There he would teach them to set feet or hold the head properly.

"I was only able to realize success because of the people who invested in me when I was little," the Morrisville FFA member notes. "It is so important to give back to the next generation, to continue helping them find their own success. It is important to keep our industry growing and improving."

SEEING EYE TO EYE: Jared Frieze and his niece Macy Martin talk while putting a sheep coat on her Dorper ewe. This is Macy's first year in 4-H and quite possibly Jared's final FFA show. He relishes the opportunity to help the next generation get involved in showing livestock.

But this year's Missouri State Fair is a little different. Heading to the show ring is his niece, Macy Martin. It is her first time showing in 4-H and there is no other place for her uncle to be than by her side.

Jared takes a breath; his face is flush as he speaks of the difference it is helping his own family. "I love it. I absolutely love it."

"I hope she beats the snot out of what I have accomplished," he adds. "I hope she is five times better than what I ever was."

More than likely, this is Jared's last junior show at the Missouri State Fair. The young man from Brighton is 21, but still has one year of eligibility left. However, he is uncertain of his return. "I am pretty sure this is it," he notes, "but you never say never."

Jared grew up raising and showing Rambouillet, Shropshire and Suffolk breeding sheep. Then in 2006, he saw the opportunity to start in a relatively new breed at the time--Dorper. "There was a chance to better a breed in our state and I took it."

The breed still does not have its own show at the Missouri State Fair. However, the number of sheep and exhibitors are increasing. Today, the Dorper sheep are considered an All Other Meat Breed and shows against other meat breed sheep.

Jared found success with his sheep breeding program winning many Missouri State Fair champion ram and ewe titles. His flock excels at the national level as well garnering champion ewe titles at the All-American Junior Show. He hopes to continue building award-winning flocks once he graduates from Missouri State University with a major in animal science. He plans to share his knowledge as a shepherd for a large sheep program.

While Jared will remain active in the family's livestock operation, he knows that when he leaves his junior show career behind his family's sheep business is in good hands. Why? Because he had a part in training the next generation.

Back at the pen, it is all smiles between uncle and niece. "She had a good day," he notes. "We had a good day."