A young man in Texas has made it his mission to advance accessibility for people with disabilities or special needs within the agricultural community, specifically through livestock shows.
Caleb Powell showed steers from an early age, growing up with a passion for agriculture. He also stayed very active in both agriculture programs and his local church youth group. After graduating from high school, Powell began the process of creating Operation: Stockshow, his faith-based nonprofit that helps children with disabilities have better access to participate in stock shows.
Powell says their mission statement is to provide opportunities for the special needs community in agriculture.
“That’s so important because there’s no other organization out there that provides these opportunities,” Powell said.
“It’s an opportunity for children with special needs to have one-on-one time with animals and to learn how to take care of them—otherwise they wouldn’t,” said Joe Campbell, a member’s dad, who said Operation: Stockshow gives kids the chance to learn life lessons about livestock.
Powell says his hope for this program is to spread awareness about the mission as well as bring this buddy program into as many schools as possible.
