Directory Entry For: Jacky Coon Eshelby

Biography

I'm a proud "locally grown" product of San Luis Obispo County. Raised in Templeton, California, I grew up with a horse in the backyard, livestock projects in the barn, and a deep appreciation for agriculture that continues to shape who I am today.

My educational journey began at Cal Poly, where I earned a degree in Agribusiness and fully embraced the university's famous "Learn by Doing" philosophy. A few years later, I traded California sunshine for Oklahoma winds and earned my master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University. Little did I know that both places would become lifelong homes in different ways.

Over the past three decades, I've worn a lot of hats: educator, marketer, fundraiser, fair manager, exhibit enthusiast, livestock advocate, leader, and lifelong student. I've been fortunate to build a career that spans classrooms, barns, boardrooms, and even multiple fairgrounds. Along the way, I've served in leadership roles with the California Mid-State Fair, San Diego County Fair, Kentucky State Fair, North American International Livestock Exposition, and National Farm Machinery Show.

One of my greatest professional joys has been educating others. I spent fourteen years as a lecturer in Cal Poly's Agribusiness Department teaching everything from economics and marketing to sales and fair management. Today, I'm back in the classroom teaching Equine Business at the University of Louisville. Whether I'm speaking to students, fairgoers or industry leaders, I believe learning happens best when people get their hands dirty and experience something firsthand. That's the beauty of "Learn by Doing."

I'm passionate about creating experiences that connect people to agriculture, education, and one another. Whether developing award-winning programs, mentoring students, building industry partnerships, or finding creative ways to attract new people into the career path of equine business, I believe the best experiences happen when learning and fun go hand in hand.

When I'm not talking horses, agriculture, marketing, or events you'll usually find me traveling, cheering at a sporting event or horse race, enjoying great food and beverages with family and friends, or proudly celebrating my three Oklahoma State Cowboy graduates: Nolan, Kayla, and Lilly.

At the end of the day, my passion is simple: helping people learn, grow, connect, and create memories that last a lifetime. 

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