The only college livestock show team in Mississippi, Jones College’s Livestock Show Team is a unique program that helps expose students to the agricultural industry and agricultural-related careers.
Started in 2021 by Show Team advisor Leanne Kilgore with six students, as well as the assistance of Mark Wagnon, its creation tied back to the already existing operation of raising Red Angus Cattle at the Jones college farm and livestock facilities.
“We were coming out of the Covid years and many students were lacking social skills and a sense of belonging,” said Kilgore. “We thought it would be a great idea to give the students something to be a part of while here on campus.”
Four years later the Livestock show team has not only given students opportunities to learn about and make connections among the agricultural industry, but has also provided students with scholarships and friends. Callee Knotts, a sophomore from Soso who has shown livestock since eighth grade, was encouraged by a friend to do the same at Jones College. At the end of Knotts’ freshman year of college, she decided to join the Show Team and received a $1,000 scholarship.
Now as a sophomore, Knotts’ typical day of working at the barn takes up to three hours. The Show Team’s members’ typical tasks are feeding calves in the morning and at night. In the afternoon, the members wash the calves, work on showmanship skills, as well as work the hair.
“[Students] condition [the calves’] hide and hair to keep it looking nice and to make their hair grow,” said Kilgore. “We clip their hair before going to shows to make them look their best.”
The Livestock Show Team travels to national level shows across the US where the students compete in open shows at different fairs and livestock shows.
On September 25 the Show Team left with four bulls grouped by age and breed to compete against other animals of the same breed and age at the Tulsa State Fair, the first show of the season.
The Livestock Show Team has had a history of success with the team winning Reserve Grand, second highest entry of the overall competition, two years in a row at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“The Show Team is a great asset. We use it as a way to recruit students for the college,” said Kilgore.
Because of the Show Team’s recent installment on campus, many students are not aware of the program, but students are welcome to join the team.
“We had a member on the team two years ago that had no livestock experience. I think it was a great opportunity for him to learn about the industry and to meet new people that he would not have been able to meet otherwise,” said Kilgore.
“Showing livestock is not for everyone, but it benefits Jones because Jones has something for everyone,” said Knotts.
Try outs will be held in the spring. For questions about the Livestock Show Team, contact Leanne Kilgore at leanne.kilgore@jcjc.edu.
Destiny Velasco
