Philip Shackelford, Texas A&M Regional Program Leader Interview - 2023 Austin County Fair

Philip Shackelford, the Texas A&M Regional Program Leader for Ag and Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development, is a central figure in the Austin County Fair. He discussed the ins and outs of the livestock show careers, which predominantly span from third grade to a student's senior year in high school. He gave explanations of the different categories and how things are judged at the fair. Shackelford shared his history, having spent 15 years in Austin County as a county center major, followed by advanced studies and a subsequent administrative role overseeing county agents in a vast region. The emphasis of the extension, where Shackelford works, is to identify and address local issues through educational programs. He praised the grassroots approach of the extension, which collaborates closely with local communities to address their specific needs rather than imposing external solutions.