On Friday, March 7th, Oakridge Middle School Agriculture hosted the 2025 York County Ag Showcase. Seventeen students in grades 3-12 from local 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters within York County participated.
The York County Ag Showcase was run and organized by Erica Wearing, Oakridge Middle School FFA Supervisor.
“I really wanted to give our kiddos a chance to share how agriculture impacts them and their lives,” Wearing says.
The main concept of the Showcase was to be like a pageant, but more agricultural themed with an emphasis on career development and leadership.
Students wore FFA official dress or farm and project attire specific to their respective interests.
There were judges to give students feedback on their interviews and short speeches, or “Ag Talks,” but winning was not the main factor.
Students from all over York County participated in three age divisions. Junior Littles were 3rd-6th graders, Juniors were 7th-9th graders and Seniors were 10th-12th graders.
Junior and Junior Little participants had to do a 30- to 120-second Ag Talk where they shared with the audience and judges what they love about agriculture, how it affects them, and their role in the agriculture world.
The Seniors had to do a Career Walk where they shared their experience in agriculture so far and what they planned on studying in the future.
They also had to do an Ag Talk, but this one was longer at 3-5 minutes. In the end, there were 3 winners, one from each age group.
Each contestant had to have some agriculture involvement. Winners got a certificate and a sash.
Senior winner Savannah Cook, a member of the Rock Hill ATC FFA Chapter, also got a crown.
Gracyn Fite was the Junior Division winner and is the co-president of the Oakridge Middle School FFA Chapter.
Avery Smith, the Junior Little winner, is in many 4-H clubs but was registered under the Happy Hooves 4-H Club where she is the treasurer and keeps track of money and dues.
Senior division students also participated in a leadership and public speaking workshop and networked with York County Technical College employees about enrollment opportunities and workforce connections. Students practiced their public speaking, professionalism and agricultural advocacy skills, Wearing says.
The York County Ag Showcase is part of York County Agriculture Month put on in partnership between local school-based agricultural education programs, local volunteers, York County 4-H and Clemson Extension. This is the county’s second annual Ag Month which is celebrated with a variety of agricultural programming for kids and families throughout the month of March.
To see more upcoming Ag Month events, visit www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/county/york.html
UPDATE 3/17: The Senior division winner was Savannah Cook. It was listed incorrectly in an earlier version and has been corrected.
Photo Gallery
Images courtesy of Susie Wearing and Kristin Kunde
The York County Current 