Youth Development

Program Overview

American Farmers & Ranchers believes in the youth of our state just as strongly as we believe in Oklahoma agriculture. Activities are geared to developing the youth of Oklahoma to be the next generation of agricultural leaders. All Oklahoma youth, first grade through college, can participate in AFR activities.

2017-2018 Youth Advisory Council

(L to R) Cade Leonard, Sequoyah; Rylee Detrick, Ringwood; Drew Hardaway, Battiest; Rayli Cunningham, Laverne; and Tyler Wilkinson, Calumet.

Youth Advisory Council

The Council consists of high school juniors and 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.

Article: AFR Announces 2017-18 Youth Advisory Council

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Youth Advisory Council Requirements	81.81 KB

Leadership Summit

New Location! 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 Summit is July 22-24 (Entering grades 7-9)

Senior Summit is July 25-28 (Entering grades 10-12)

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Leadership Summit Registration form	69.89 KB

Scholarships

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 15th.

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.

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2018 Incoming Freshman Application	259.74 KB
2018 Continuing Education Application	260.02 KB

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 $1000, making the total available dollars for scholarships $2000. Applicant or a member of applicant's immediate family must be a policyholder of AFR Insurance.

Contact your local AFR agent for more information.

Contests

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 4-12 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.

2018 Speech Contest Information

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.

2018 Ag Achievement Contest Info

Cattle Grading Contests

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 the OKC West Stockyards, Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa Stockyards and Connors State College.

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. Posters are due in December and 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 State Convention in February.

2018 Poster Contest Info

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 collegiateafr@gmail.com.

Photo: Back Row (L to R): Whitney Wilkinson- Graduate Advisor, Emily Wilkinson- Public Relations, Ellie Kauffman- CASNR Representative, K.C. Barnes- Secretary Front Row (L to R): Megan Trantham- Reporter, Ryan Danker- President, Brynn Danker- Vice President and Hallie Barnes- Secretary

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Youth Development

Program Overview

Youth Advisory Council

Leadership Summit