Holly Swearingen, 17, of Eudora, has been raising sheep and entering them in 4-H and livestock competitions since she was a small child. She’s currently getting her sheep ready for the Douglas County Fair, and Journal-World photographer Richard Gwin checked in with Holly on two separate occasions to see how she’s preparing.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen, 17, of Eudora, cleans up a sheep after shearing it June 2 on her family’s farm. It’s one of several sheep that she raises. Swearingen is a longtime member of the Eudora 4-H Club and shows sheep at livestock competitions throughout the country.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen trims around a sheep's ears on June 2, 2015.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen inspects a sheep after giving it a close shearing June 2, 2015.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen's father, Rocky, watches as she shears a sheep on June 2, 2015.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Cleo, a Great Pyrenees, spends some quality time with the sheep on June 4, 2015.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen gets a closer look at one of the sheep she is preparing for showing.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen rubs a sheep's head to help it relax while it is being sheared.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Holly Swearingen walks with one of the sheep she plans to show at the Douglas County Fair.