Departing from IBM, with no prior shepherding experience, Kathy Donovan started raising Karakul heritage sheep in Virginia 2004. She became an Oxford Certified Instructor in 2014. Kathy sells her hand dyed wool rug yarn, rug designs, and punch yarn kits for Oxford regular and fine needles through her business, Checkmate Farm LLC. She offers classes on her mountain top farm and at fiber festivals. She is a member of ATHA and the Virginia Artisan Trail Network. Her website and Checkmate Rug Shop are found on www.checkmatefarm.com.
