OKLAHOMA CITY—Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2021 American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 12-17. This year, AFR/OFU presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 18.
The AFR/OFU 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/OFU 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/OFU 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 2021 AFR/OFU Ag Achievement Top Ten are:
First Place: Braden Burns, Kingfisher FFA
Second Place: Cooper Thompson, Adair FFA
Third Place: Abby Bell, Bristow FFA
Fourth Place: Josie Doshier, Woodland FFA
Fifth Place: Liberty Carson, Yukon FFA
Sixth Place: Larahmy Blakely, Oologah FFA
Seventh Place: Macy Koch, Perry FFA
Eighth Place: Kye Heldermon, Marlow FFA
Ninth Place: Garrick Smith, Moore FFA
Tenth Place: Kenzie McAlister, Stillwater FFA
The AFR/OFU 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/OFU Youth Development Coordinator Tailor Fields at (405)218-5566 or [email protected].
