Farms.com Home   News

Specialist follows path to ‘help people, work with livestock’

Growing up on her family’s farm in Carroll County, Missouri, Shelby Davies Jenkins experienced the agricultural way of life from her earliest days.

Now a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, Jenkins cherishes those early farm memories.

“I grew up on a diversified row crop and beef cattle operation,” she says. “I was around it from an early age. Some of my earliest memories are checking cows with Dad before I went to preschool.”

She also showed animals at fairs while growing up. With those experiences, she grew interested in a career in livestock.

“I knew early on that livestock was my passion,” Jenkins says. “That was a big part of my childhood.”

After high school at Braymer, she decided to study animal science in college at the University of Missouri. She initially had ideas of becoming a veterinarian, but as part of her studies she took a Careers in Animal Science class.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Shearing Delay Leads To Kingston 4H Sheep Show!

Video: Shearing Delay Leads To Kingston 4H Sheep Show!

What started as a disappointment turned into a day full of surprises, fun, and celebration as we leave Ewetopia Farms behind and head out to the Kingston Fair to watch the 4H sheep show

Today’s vlog was supposed to be another sheep shearing day here at Ewetopia Farms, but when our shearer had to cancel, we suddenly found ourselves with an unexpected free day. Lucky for us, the Kingston Fair was happening — and some of our own sheep (and friends) were competing!

We brought along our shearing helper and headed to the fairgrounds to cheer on the 4H kids and see how our sheep did in the show. From last-minute preparations and sheep showmanship to market lamb competitions and ewe classes, we take you behind the scenes of what it’s really like at a country fair.

We couldn’t be prouder — our girls walked away with wins in both showmanship and breeding ewe classes! Afterwards, we toured the fair, met a beekeeper with fascinating insights, admired other livestock shows, and wrapped up the evening with motocross stunts and a demolition derby!

Sometimes farm life throws curveballs — but today, it gave us the chance to celebrate community, our sheep, and the next generation of shepherds.