Rep. Pfeiffer: Oklahoma Youth Expo

The Oklahoma Youth Expo took place March 8-20 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

This was the 111th annual OYE, which is known as the “World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show.”
This event annually draws more than 7,500 4-H and FFA exhibitors from all 77 counties to compete at the state championship for the Junior Livestock Program.

On March 16, I took part in the 22^nd Annual Legislative & Celebrity Showmanship Contest. Legislators and other statewide dignitaries show cattle, sheep, goats or swine for students from our local FFA or 4-H chapters. The celebrity winner gets bragging rights, but the overall event raises scholarship money for the students that participate. It’s always a great time.

Since 2002, the Oklahoma Youth Expo has provided $2.3 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 Oklahoma students. This supports our goal as a state to produce more college graduates as part of building a stronger economy. The scholarship program also addresses the need for more college graduates to work in the agriculture industry, one of the key economic drivers of Oklahoma’s economy.

A resolution was read on the House floor recognizing OYE’s mission to provide a venue and program to display the finest quality market and breeding livestock in the country. This facilitates agricultural production projects, and funds higher education opportunities for hundreds of youth pursuing studies in agriculture. The program is open to all students from across the state enrolled in 4-H or FFA.

The participation and economic impact of the local livestock show touches all 77 counties, making a substantial positive impact on the fabric of rural communities. The program provides participating youth with an extension of their classroom in a hands-on, real-world environment.

This year marks the seventh year of the Oklahoma Youth Expo Ag Mechanics and Engineering Contest, where students design, plan, construct and market agricultural projects. The contest has grown to over 300 projects statewide. In the House, we recognized contest winners Grand Champion Brody Bazor of the Marietta FFA who constructed a firewood processor trailer, and Reserve Grand Champions Barrett Grissom and Hunter Lehman of the Strother FFA who constructed a hydraulic chute.

It’s always great to see our youth participate in programs such as these, which encourage the development of leadership and life skills. I’m glad to have been a part of OYE, 4-H and FFA almost my whole life, and I’m glad to recognize this next generation of agriculture leaders.

In the House, we will continue to hear bills on the House floor until March 26 – our third reading deadline for legislation in the chamber of origin. After this, the House will begin considering Senate bills in committees, and that chamber will hear the legislation we sent over.

It’s an honor to serve the folks of House District 38. As always, if you have concerns about bills, or problems I can assist you in solving, please reach out to me at john.pfeiffer@okhouse.gov or call my office at 405-557-7332.