Hundreds of Thousands Flock to North American International Livestock Exposition in November
November 1, 2024
Building Our Future
Published: November 19, 2019
Updated: April 19, 2024
Each year, hundreds of people work to make the North American International Livestock Exposition happen, from employees to exhibitors, and it takes a lot of work to create a great show. This year, the #NAILE19 Communication’s Team had the help of three talented student interns and we wanted to recognize them for their hard work.
Thank you Justin, Shelby and Shelby! You are all so talented and helped make this year a successful show. With talented young adults like you, the future of the livestock industry is in very capable hands.
Meet the Interns
Justin Dewbre is a junior studying Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University. He grew up showing cattle and pigs and continues his involvement in the industry as a livestock photographer. Justin has taken photos at numerous shows from the local to the national level, and continually seeks opportunities to learn from different people across the industry.
When asked what his favorite thing about this internship was, Justin responded:
“I stepped on the green shavings for the first time this week as a NAILE Media Intern, and found the people are what make this place the legend it is. The willing attitudes of everyone I worked with are without a doubt my favorite part of the experience. I hope to one-day help others the way so many have helped me this week. From the interview process to the time spent in Louisville, it has been a true joy.”
Shelby Shank is an Animal Science student at Murray State University from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was very involved in 4-H and showed market hogs at the county level. Shelby is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Murray State Show Pigs and a part of the National Pork Board’s #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team. She enjoys sharing her passion with others and educating consumers about the agriculture industry.
When asked what her favorite thing about this internship was, Shelby responded:
“This internship has given me more than I could have imagined. My favorite thing about being at the 2019 NAILE is not only being on the green shavings but having the opportunity to apply my knowledge while also building on my skillset. It has been a pleasure to work with Justin and learn from Cassie because they are both extremely talented individuals. I would not trade the experiences I have gained through internships like this one or the connections I have made because they can not be learned in the classroom.”
Shelby Ferguson, Texas A&M University Senior, has been an active member of the livestock industry for many years. Having been National Junior Secretary of the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association and National Youth Representative of the American Pinzgauer Association, Ferguson has had the opportunity to travel and show at over 170 livestock shows and interned at the State Fair of Texas, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Northern International Livestock Exposition in Billings, Montana. In May, she will graduate as a University Honors student with a double major in Plant & Environmental Soil Sciences and Turfgrass Science and a double minor in Environmental Science and Agronomy. As a third generation cattle breeder, Ferguson plans to continue advocating for the livestock industry and hopes to one day be the Executive Director of a major livestock show in the country.
When asked what her favorite thing about this internship was, Shelby responded:
“This internship has provided me with the opportunity to write and advocate for an industry that I hold so close to my heart. I have thoroughly enjoyed working and conversing with some of the most influential people in agriculture as well as spending time with livestock’s next generation of breeders”.
Thank you Justin, Shelby and Shelby! You are all so talented and helped make this year a successful show. With talented young adults like you, the future of the livestock industry is in very capable hands.
Meet the Interns
Justin Dewbre is a junior studying Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University. He grew up showing cattle and pigs and continues his involvement in the industry as a livestock photographer. Justin has taken photos at numerous shows from the local to the national level, and continually seeks opportunities to learn from different people across the industry.
When asked what his favorite thing about this internship was, Justin responded:
“I stepped on the green shavings for the first time this week as a NAILE Media Intern, and found the people are what make this place the legend it is. The willing attitudes of everyone I worked with are without a doubt my favorite part of the experience. I hope to one-day help others the way so many have helped me this week. From the interview process to the time spent in Louisville, it has been a true joy.”
Shelby Shank is an Animal Science student at Murray State University from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was very involved in 4-H and showed market hogs at the county level. Shelby is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Murray State Show Pigs and a part of the National Pork Board’s #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team. She enjoys sharing her passion with others and educating consumers about the agriculture industry.
When asked what her favorite thing about this internship was, Shelby responded:
“This internship has given me more than I could have imagined. My favorite thing about being at the 2019 NAILE is not only being on the green shavings but having the opportunity to apply my knowledge while also building on my skillset. It has been a pleasure to work with Justin and learn from Cassie because they are both extremely talented individuals. I would not trade the experiences I have gained through internships like this one or the connections I have made because they can not be learned in the classroom.”
Shelby Ferguson, Texas A&M University Senior, has been an active member of the livestock industry for many years. Having been National Junior Secretary of the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association and National Youth Representative of the American Pinzgauer Association, Ferguson has had the opportunity to travel and show at over 170 livestock shows and interned at the State Fair of Texas, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Northern International Livestock Exposition in Billings, Montana. In May, she will graduate as a University Honors student with a double major in Plant & Environmental Soil Sciences and Turfgrass Science and a double minor in Environmental Science and Agronomy. As a third generation cattle breeder, Ferguson plans to continue advocating for the livestock industry and hopes to one day be the Executive Director of a major livestock show in the country.
When asked what her favorite thing about this internship was, Shelby responded:
“This internship has provided me with the opportunity to write and advocate for an industry that I hold so close to my heart. I have thoroughly enjoyed working and conversing with some of the most influential people in agriculture as well as spending time with livestock’s next generation of breeders”.
