Hall of Fame Inductee –Mark Shirley
Mark Shirley and his family
Mark Andrew Shirley was a native of Commerce. He grew up on a cow/calf operation and was an active 4-H and FFA member of Jackson County.
Growing up, Shirley often assisted his father, Stonewall Jackson Shirley Jr., DVM, on farm-calls to local livestock producers in Jackson and surrounding counties. Shirley’s senior year of high school he became a master 4-Her after winning the state DPA project in veterinary sciences.
Shirley is a third generation College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) graduate from the University of Georgia, where he majored in Animal Science. As an undergraduate student, he competed on the UGA livestock judging team. These experiences developed into a passion for the livestock industry and an understanding of the influence youth livestock show programs have on 4-H/FFA students as future producers. Naturally, this led to a desire to give back to the livestock community.
Shirley’s Cooperative Extension Career had an extensive focus on livestock management, forages, and working with 4-H members with the many projects offered through the UGA Extension. Mark’s passion from an early age and up to and beyond his retirement with UGA was youth livestock projects and the livestock industry in Georgia.
As a UGA County Extension Agent, Shirley was allowed to fulfill this passion. Shortly after graduation in 1978, Shirley started his career with UGA Extension in Emmanuel County as a 4-H/Ag agent. He also worked in Terrell and Elbert Counties, but in 1985, Mark brought his passion for the livestock industry to Habersham County where he served as the agricultural county agent. Mark’s love for exhibiting livestock and working with 4-Hers was an explosive combination. It was not long before Mark had resurrected the Habersham 4-H Beef Livestock show team that had been non-existent for several years.
Brandy Daniel, one of Mark’s livestock exhibitors said, “Mark was an avid supporter of all his 4-Hers. I’ll always remember his smile and chuckle anytime one of us won or placed well as if we were his own children. He was always our biggest supporter.”
Mark Shirley sacrificed many icy mornings helping kids in the wash racks and long evenings getting the stock bedded down and fed the night before the big show. While in Habersham County, Mark served with Helen Barrett.
“Mark loved working with 4-Hers in the livestock program; however, he was highly allergic to wheat straw and bedding,” Helen Barrett said. “On Monday mornings after a livestock show, Mark would come into the office just itching to high heavens but that was not a deterrent and it never once stopped him from helping a 4-Her.”
He gave out advice to nervous kids whose first time it was to walk into a show ring. He listened to many 4-H and FFA students give livestock judging reasons. Shirley took pleasure in watching the development and progression of youth exhibitors in and out of the show ring. Many stories have been told of Shirley aiding a student or parent with a new livestock project; whether that was help with acquiring a show animal or advice on proper show etiquette. Regardless of the student, Shirley had a desire to improve the skills of every student he worked with.
Regardless of the 4-Her’s project area, Mark took a special interest in students.
Joey Eller said, “My dad was often away working somewhere and mom didn’t drive. Often Mark would come by and pick me up to either take me to the office or to an event. I really did learn a lot from him.”
Shirley also worked with many farmers and livestock producers to improve forages and herd genetics. He coordinated producer programing to fit the needs of Habersham County’s agricultural community. Shirley also was methodical in giving recommendations.
“While in college, I interned at the Habersham County Extension Office one quarter,” Gilbert Barrett said. “Mark took me under his wing, taught me how to listen and ask questions before ever making any recommendations and making sure that the recommendation was written somewhere in black and white by someone who had accountability. I still value that sage advice today when I make recommendations to farmers and homeowners.”
Mark left Habersham County to return his home county of Jackson to finish his Extension career, but he left a legacy that will continue for generations to come.