Stock Show Report: Campustown Showdown Brings Cattle, Fashion, and Community to Iowa

Campustown Showdown Founder Christian Calliham shared a sneak peek, explaining how the upcoming Iowa stock show evolved from its sister event, the Aggieville Showdown in Kansas.

AMES, IOWA (RFD News) — The second annual Campustown Showdown will feature a mix of cattle showing, a fashion show, local vendors, and live entertainment, all centered around connecting consumers with producers.

Event founder Christian Calliham joined Wednesday’s Market Day Report for a sneak peek, explaining how the idea grew out of his original Aggieville Showdown in Kansas.

“After several years of being in the Aggieville Showdown, we’ve really seen this mission of connecting producers and consumers come to life, and we thought, why not expand our mission to another land grant institution town?”

In his conversation with RFD News, Calliham shared how the event will celebrate beef producers while also creating opportunities for the public to learn more about livestock.

“We also have a new segment this year, brought to us by the Iowa Beef Industry Council as we work on our mission to really bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Consumers can actually go on our socials and our website and ask questions that are topics of theirs and they will answer them on stage.”

The event will also feature a Grand Drive in the heart of downtown Ames, with the goal of bringing agriculture to the Iowa State University community.

The Campustown Showdown, set for April 24 and 25 in Ames, Iowa. More information can be found on the event’s website.

Related Stories
A young exhibitor bring years of work and family tradition to the annual event.
From barns to show rings, producers and students say that livestock events offer economic opportunity and life lessons. Let’s take a look at some shows across the southeast in Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana.
Held each year in Mercedes, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show remains a cornerstone event for the region — blending education, competition, and community, even during challenging times for agriculture.
Streaming LIVE March 12-28 only on RFD+
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo concluded last night, marking the end of another successful year showcasing youth exhibitors, livestock producers, and the spirit of agriculture.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law discusses the lack of legal expertise in rural areas and a new program in Kansas aimed at addressing the issue.
Transporting pollinator colonies—primarily honey bee hives—is a major logistical operation in U.S. agriculture. Costs can vary widely depending on distance, fuel prices, labor, and timing.
Kaleigh Backstrom says her early involvement in 4-H helped set her on that path and sparked her interest in veterinary medicine.
Workshops give international bakers hands-on training with U.S. wheat products
The 91st anniversary of Black Sunday highlights how the Dust Bowl disaster led to modern soil conservation programs still shaping U.S. agriculture today.
A new partnership with the Montana Beef Council is bringing protein-packed refuel stations to high school sports tournaments across the state.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.
RFD+ EXCLUSIVE | This hour-long show explores the trains and locomotives that aided the growth of travel, further settlement, and the development of a variety of American industries and agricultural ventures.
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
“Texas Our Texas” – a magical place. A place of land and legend. A place like no other. People come here to touch it, to feel the passion, to soak it in and be a part of it. Hosted by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Let’s ride!
RFD-TV’s newest music series, “On the Record,” presented by John Deere, takes viewers on a journey through the heart of country music. Hosted by renowned broadcaster, Suzanne Alexander, the show features long-form interviews with today’s biggest artists and the veterans who inspired them. “On the Record” also gives viewers a front row seat to intimate performances and exclusive music video releases, highlighting the broad scope of Nashville’s talent.