Program Overview
Activities are geared to 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
The Council consists of high school seniors representing AFR youth from across the state. Council members participate in agriculture-based service projects throughout the year and assist in planning many AFR Youth Program activities. They also facilitate AFR events and act as mentors for younger Oklahoma youth.
Leadership Summit
The AFR Teen and Senior Leadership Summits are held each year at the Heartland Conference Center near Midwest City in central 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: July 23-25, 2023
Senior: July 26-29, 2023
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.
County/Local Match Scholarship Guidelines
Scholarship deadline is June, 1, 2023.
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 College Education Scholarship.
Scholarship deadline is April 3, 2023.
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.
- Incoming Freshman Application Guidelines
- Continuing Education Guidelines
Speech Contest
This popular AFR event is held in the fall of each year and is available to both members and non-members. Students in grades 3th – 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.
2022 Speech Contest Dates:
Monday, November 7- Central District, Tecumseh High School
Tuesday, November 8- Northeast District, Lone Star Schools, Sapulpa
Thursday, November 10- Southeast District, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton
Monday, November 14- Southwest District, Cache High School
Thursday, November 17- Northwest District, Autry Technology Center, Enid
Saturday, December 3- State Speech Contest, OSU, Stillwater
Ag Achievement Contest
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 or seniors. Contestants compete in showmanship, written animal science exam and an interview.
Judging Contest
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, September 29, 2022, Tulsa State Fair
- Livestock Handling Contest, November 18, 2022, OKC Stockyards
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. Money received can be used toward college education or put back into the project for future years to come.
Tulsa State Fair, Night of Champions Scholarship Series – Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Oklahoma Youth Expo, Sale of Champions- Friday, March 18, 2022 at 4 p.m.
Poster Contest
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 28, 2022 and posters are due December 2, 2022. Each year we receive an outstanding response — more than 4,000 posters pour in from across Oklahoma. Top winners will be recognized at the annual AFR Convention in February 16-18, 2023.
Poster Contest Deadline- December 2, 2022
- Posters must be post marked by December 2 in order to be judged.
Collegiate AFR
