OKLAHOMA CITY—Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2024 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 13-22. This year, AFR presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 21.
The AFR Agricultural Achievement Contest recognizes outstanding youth in Oklahoma who display exceptional showmanship skills and possess extensive knowledge of the livestock industry, including production, management, processing and end product utilization.
“As an organization, we are proud to offer development and scholarship opportunities to the youth of Oklahoma,” said AFR President Scott Blubaugh. “Our annual Agricultural Achievement contest in particular is a great way for us to support the future of Oklahoma agriculture.”
Participation in the AFR Agricultural Achievement Contest is limited to Oklahoma junior and senior high school students who exhibit an animal at OYE. Contestants participate in showmanship rounds with their OYE animal and take a written test about the livestock industry. The top 10 finalists are interviewed on their individual livestock project and the industry as a whole to determine final placing.
The 2024 AFR Ag Achievement Top Ten are:
First Place: Ryne Crosthwait, Stillwater
Second Place: Addyson Schneberger, Hydro-Eakly
Third Place: Aubrie McEndoo, Stillwater
Fourth Place: Cooper Kline, North Rock Creek
Fifth Place: Kyriana Beard, Stillwater
Sixth Place: Emma Yates, Stillwater
Seventh Place: Paisley Beshear, Wister
Eighth Place: Kynseth Zubrod, Guthrie
Ninth Place: Dade DeLozier, Adair
Tenth Place: Breya Sargent, Norman
The AFR Ag Achievement Contest is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts a youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, speech contests, livestock judging and grading competitions, and many other development opportunities. For more information on this contest or other AFR Youth Program projects, contact AFR Youth Development Program [email protected].
AFR Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR principles.
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