Program Overview
Activities are geared toward developing the youth of our state to be the next generation of leaders. All Oklahoma youth, first grade through college, can participate.
Youth Advisory Council
Five incoming high schools senior are elected to serve on the AFR Youth Advisory Council. They represent AFR Cooperative youth throughout the year. Council members must be AFR Insurance policyholders and must have attended senior leadership summit for the two previous years.
Youth Adivsory Council Guidelines
2025-2026 Youth Advisory Council
Annie Schneider, Seiling
Fatih Wright, Stratford
Hadley Ott, Lomega
Jewel Scherler, Chattanooga
Kaden Pliler, Purcell
Youth Advisory Council Application
Leadership Summit
The AFR Teen and Senior Leadership Summits will be held at Cedar Hills Baptist Youth Camp in Binger, Oklahoma. Each day students attend sessions focusing on leadership, service, teamwork, and cooperative skills. Summit is an event to inspire and motivate youth in agriculture about their opportunities and potential.
Teen Session (7th-9th grade): July 21-24, 2026
Senior Session (10th-12th grade): July 25-28, 2026
AFR Membership Form
Youth Advisory Council Application
Scholarships
County/Local Match Scholarships
AFR assists college students on a local level with the County/Local Match Scholarship Program. The state organization matches each participating county up to $1,000, making the total available dollars for scholarships $2,000. Applicant or a member of applicant’s immediate family must be a policyholder of AFR Insurance.
If applicant received the AFR State Scholarship, they are NOT eligible for the County/Local Match Scholarship
Contact your local AFR agent for more information.
Scholarship available February 1, 2026.
Scholarship deadline is June 1, 2026.
State Scholarships
AFR awards college scholarships annually for young people who have been active participants in the Youth Program. Students can apply for either the Incoming College Freshman Scholarship or the Continuing Education Scholarship.
Scholarship available February 1, 2026.
Scholarship deadline is April 1, 2026.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following criteria:
- Involvement in the Youth Program
- Leadership activities
- Academic achievements
- Applicant or a member of applicant’s immediate family must be a policyholder of AFR Insurance.
Contests
This popular AFR event is held in the fall of each year and is available to both members and non-members. Students in grades 3rd-12th compete in their respective category at five district contests held across the state. First and second place winners in each category advance to the state speech contest held in Stillwater on the Oklahoma State University campus. More than 350 students participate in this event every year.
2026 Speech Contest Dates:
Monday, November 9- Central District, Tecumseh High School
Tuesday, November 10- Northeast District, Lone Star Schools, Sapulpa
Thursday, November 12- Southeast District, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton
Monday, November 16- Southwest District, Cache High School
Thursday, November 19- Northwest District, Autry Technology Center, Enid
Saturday, December 5- State Speech Contest, OSU, Stillwater
The AFR Ag Achievement Contest at the Oklahoma Youth Expo is designed to recognize youth who have an interest in livestock, excel in showmanship and have knowledge of the livestock industry including production, management, processing and end product utilization.
Competition is limited to 4-H and FFA members exhibiting breeding or market beef, sheep, goat or swine at the Oklahoma Youth Expo and who are classified as high school juniors and seniors. Contestants compete in showmanship written animal science exam and an interview.
2026 Ag Achievement Schedule
Contestants are rewarded for their recognition of high-quality cattle- just as a producer would profit from similar selection within their own herd. AFR is proud to be a continued sponsor of these contests at Connors State College, Eastern Oklahoma College, Redlands Community College and OKC West Cattle Grading Contest.
- TSF Cattle Grading Contest, Tulsa State Fair
- Livestock Handling Contest, OKC Stockyards
The AFR Youth Program captures the creativity of students with our annual AFR Poster Contest. The contest begins in the fall and any 1st-4th grade student is eligible to participate. Order forms are due October 20, 2025 and posters are due December 1, 2025. Posters will be judged on December 8, 2025.
Each year we receive an outstanding response – more than 4,000 posters pour in from across Oklahoma. The top winner will be recognized at the annual AFR Convention in February 14-16, 2026.
2025 Poster Contest Theme:
The livestock handling contest provides youth the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skillsets through real world, hands on cattle handling. Students are tested on their knowledge of all aspects of the beef production industry and their abilities to safely and correctly process live cattle.
Premium Auctions
AFR Cooperative gives back to policyholders who exhibit livestock by participating in the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Tulsa State Fair premium auctions.
The yearly tradition showcases and celebrates the hard work and success of youth across the state. The auctions reward the exhibitors for their accomplishments and help compensate them for their dedication and time put into their projects.
- Tulsa State Fair, Night of Champions Scholarship Series
- Oklahoma Youth Expo, Sale of Champions
Collegiate AFR
Oklahoma State University Collegiate AFR (CAFR) is a newly established program for AFR members to continue their involvement after graduating from high school. Offering students an opportunity to grow their leadership skills with emphasis on education, cooperation and legislation by experiences throughout Oklahoma. For more information regarding the CAFR Program, email [email protected].
Internships
AFR Youth has a long tradition of providing opportunities for Oklahoma youth through various events with the goal of shaping and molding youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. AFR Cooperative is excited to provide an amazing opportunity for a young professional to assist with all youth events and obtain an inside look at this great organization.
This internship offers the chance to gain real- world, hands-on experience through a non-profit. The intern will obtain valuable skills such as multi- project management and communications in a fast paced work environment.
This internship is meant to challenge students and allow them to grow while gaining valuable work experience. Professional development and networking experience are also opportunities with this internship.
