The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s mission is to be a volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas. Each year, thousands of exhibitors compete in a wide array of stock shows and youth competitions. 

“We like to showcase different events and competitions that youth can participate in even without owning an animal,” said Morgan Thomas, the show’s competitive events manager.

Thomas and the Competitive Events Team oversee all youth contests held at the show. These include various livestock shows, judging contests, agrobotics, skillathons and more. Most contests don’t require owning an animal or a large financial commitment to the project. 

“The Agrobotics Challenge is one contest we’ve seen a big uptake in since opening the contest to students who are members of CTE/STEM programs within a Texas High School,” Thomas said. 

Events such as photography, food challenge, taxidermy and western art are also among the unique contests offered.

“These are things you don’t really think of when you think about a stock show, but we’ve found a way to incorporate it. All you have to do is be willing to commit time to studying and learning,” Thomas said. 

Thomas grew up showing at the San Antonio shows and competed in competitions such as livestock judging. This led her to Texas A&M University, where she was a member of the wool and livestock judging teams.

“Growing up, there was never really a question about where we were going to school; it was always Texas A&M, at least for me,” Thomas said. 

She was named an All-American in livestock judging, participated in internships at Texas majors and graduated with a degree in agricultural communications and journalism in 2020. 

Thomas continued her education at A&M to earn her master’s in animal science while working for the American Brahman Breeders Association. She had always known that she wanted to work at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and began working there in July of 2022.

“We’re able to be at the center of so many highs, memories made, and bucket list items for so many people that I consider my job to be one of the best,” Thomas said. “The joy of seeing young people accomplish their goals gives us a purpose to what we do.”

Even though the stock show takes place only in February, Thomas said preparation for such a large and diverse event is year-round and the show, staff, volunteers and donors have been able to make a significant financial impact on Texas youth.

“We strive to give as much as we can. I think our scholarship program is one that really sets us apart,” Thomas said. 

Thomas said the event has committed more than $267 million to benefit over 1 million Texas youth since its inception in 1949.

“I’ve seen the impact that it had on me and also had the opportunity to visit with students who genuinely wouldn’t have been able to attend a university until receiving a scholarship of this magnitude,” Thomas said. 

When long days and little sleep start to pile up, Thomas said her motivation comes from providing youth opportunities and experiences to better themselves. 

“My goal with everything I do has always been to give it 110% and try to make a lasting impact on the generation to come after me,” Thomas said.

When she first arrived in San Antonio, her biggest goal was to learn.

“I had only experienced a small piece of what the stock show was,” Thomas said. “I wanted to build and improve on the legacy that has been laid before me and leave it even better for the next generation.”

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is going into its 76th event this year.

Thomas said the volunteer force of more than 6,000 and a staff of 35 push each other to improve and grow more each year. 

“We’ve been striving over the last couple of years, especially in our community, to educate people about livestock, agriculture, western heritage and the sport of rodeo,” Thomas said. 

There are over 20,000 exhibitors at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo annually, but also Thomas said there are approximately 1.5 million people who walk through the gates as patrons making it one of the largest single events in San Antonio.

“The general public is who we want to be able to reach and help educate them about agriculture. We want to bring them into the fold of what our industry is about and where their food comes from,” Thomas said. 

Throughout the year, various sales bring real-world livestock and agriculture into the urban setting. One such sale is the San Antonio All Breeds Bull and Heifer Sale. 

“It’s part of the history of San Antonio,” Thomas said. “It’s been around for a long time, and I remember coming to the sale with my family when I was younger.”

The sale brings the true commercial side of the agricultural industry to an urban center like San Antonio.

“It is great to welcome commercial cattlemen from across the country to our grounds,” Thomas said. “Giving a window into the real-world business of the beef cattle industry.”

Thomas has just as much insight into the commercial industry as she does the show world.  She is a sixth-generation cattle rancher in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her family has owned and operated Thomas Charolais Inc. since 1936.

“At Thomas Charolais, we raise and market purebred cattle all over the world,” Thomas said. “We pride ourselves on producing purebred cattle that also make commercial sense, always keeping the commercial cattleman in mind.”

Their yearly spring and fall bull sales are their primary marketing plan, but they also offer private treaty and sale options for females. 

Thomas Charolais has always been a family operation. Her father and aunt manage daily operations, while some of her siblings and cousins have moved back home to work on the ranch full time after earning their degrees. 

“I try to go home and help whenever I possibly can and remain active in what we do at the ranch,” Thomas said. 

As someone who grew up immersed in agriculture, Thomas gave advice to young people stepping into the livestock industry. 

“Get involved. Don’t be afraid to reach out and build your network,” Thomas said. “The livestock industry is a blessing because of how big and small it is at the same time.”

Thomas encouraged everyone to take advantage of internships, externships and volunteer hours to build and grow relationships.

“Those relationships in the livestock world are what will follow you into the next stage of your life and career and help you to be a better person and advocate for the industry,” Thomas said.

For more information about how the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo uses educational events to teach the public about agriculture, visit their website at http://www.sarodeo.com.