Behind the Scenes at the State Fair of Texas: Growing My Experience in Livestock Media

Some of the best learning experiences happen when you step outside your comfort zone, meet new people and put your skills to work in a real-world environment. This fall, I had the opportunity to do just that as a Livestock Media Intern at the State Fair of Texas during Market Week, one of the busiest and most exciting times of the fair.

From capturing photos and interviewing champions to working behind the scenes of the highly anticipated livestock auction, this experience gave me a closer look at what it takes to tell the story of agriculture through media and communications.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Market Week

Market Week is a special time at the State Fair of Texas, bringing together youth livestock exhibitors, families, sponsors, industry professionals and supporters of agriculture. One of the biggest highlights is the livestock auction, where champion exhibitors are recognized for their hard work and dedication.

As a Livestock Media Intern with Cultivate Agency, I had the opportunity to help tell these stories. My responsibilities included taking photos throughout the week, interviewing champion exhibitors and helping prepare and manage the slides displayed during the auction.

Each responsibility gave me a different perspective on agricultural communications. Photography allowed me to capture the excitement and emotion of the show ring, while interviewing champions gave me the opportunity to hear firsthand about the dedication, preparation, and support systems behind their success.

Working on the auction slides was another unique experience. While much of the attention was focused on the auction ring, our team was working behind the scenes to help everything run smoothly. It was a reminder that successful events rely on far more than what the audience sees. Organization, communication, teamwork and attention to detail are essential to making every piece come together.

The Importance of Teamwork in Agricultural Communications

One of my favorite parts of this internship was getting to work alongside such an amazing team. Everyone brought different strengths to the table, and I learned so much from being surrounded by people who were passionate about telling the story of agriculture.

In a fast-paced environment like Market Week, flexibility is important. Plans can change quickly, deadlines are tight and there is always another moment worth capturing or another story worth telling. Being part of this team challenged me to stay adaptable, communicate effectively and trust the people working alongside me.

It also reinforced something I have learned throughout my agricultural communications journey: great content is rarely created alone. Behind every photograph, interview, social media post and successful event is a team of people working toward the same goal.

Connecting My Experience to My Future in Texas

While this internship was valuable for developing my professional skills, it also meant something more to me personally.

As I work toward graduating with my degree in Agricultural Communications and a minor in Agribusiness from ABAC, I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career. One of my goals is to move to Texas after graduation and explore opportunities in agricultural communications, marketing and the western livestock industry.

Growing up around cattle and being involved in the livestock industry has shaped my passion for agriculture. I want to continue using my communication skills to tell the stories of producers, exhibitors and the people who make agriculture what it is. This internship allowed me to experience a different part of the livestock industry while building connections and gaining insight into the opportunities available in Texas.

It also gave me a better understanding of the fast-paced, collaborative environment that comes with agricultural events and media work. Whether I am taking photos, interviewing exhibitors, managing social media or helping coordinate communications behind the scenes, I want to continue developing the skills that allow me to contribute to meaningful agricultural storytelling.

Being able to gain hands-on experience in Texas before graduation made this opportunity especially beneficial. It was a chance to learn, grow and get a feel for the professional environment in which I hope to build my career.

Taking Lessons Beyond the Fairgrounds

Looking back on my time as a Livestock Media Intern, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from an incredible team, meet talented young exhibitors and play a small part in such an important event for the livestock industry.

The experience strengthened my photography, interviewing, teamwork and event communications skills while reminding me how important it is to recognize the people and stories behind agriculture.

At Twisted L Creatives, I believe every experience is an opportunity to grow, build connections and become a better communicator. My time at the State Fair of Texas was another step toward that goal, and I am excited to take what I learned into future projects and opportunities.

As graduation gets closer, I am even more excited about what the future holds and the possibility of making Texas my next home. I look forward to continuing to tell agriculture's story, one photo, conversation and creative project at a time.