Nearly 2,000 students take part in OKFB’s state fair livestock judging contest
klahoma Farm Bureau hosted nearly 2,000 4-H and FFA students comprising 230 chapters and clubs for the 2025 Oklahoma State Fair Livestock Judging Contest on Monday, Sept. 15, in Oklahoma City.
Students in third grade through 12th grade evaluated eight classes of cattle, sheep, goats and hogs. They also answered a set of questions about a class of cattle and a class of goats.
The top three individuals in the
junior 4-H division were Wade Richey, Altus; Hake Herrel, Minco; and Garrett Griswold, Ripley. The top three teams were Lomega, Hartshorne and Chickasha.
The top three individuals in the junior FFA division were Sage Baird, Waynoka; Reid Dorman, Lindsay; and Katie Dismukes, Checotah. The top three teams were Elgin, Lomega and Lindsay.
The top three individuals in the senior 4-H division were Zoey Powell,
Wilburton; Kayla Venable, Grady County; and Baler Lott, Hydro-Eakly. The top three teams were Hydro-Eakly, Fort Gibson and Hartshorne.
The top three individuals in the senior FFA division were Aiden Rexwinkle, Wagoner; Kobi Scroggins, Tuttle; and Baylee Rogers, Vanoss. The top three teams were Wagoner, Checotah and Hartshorne.
View the full list of results online at okf.news/judgingresults.
OKFB Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program announces frst graduate to receive equity investment from OKFB-backed group
he frst graduate of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program to receive equity investment from a collaborative investment group, which includes OKFB, was recently announced.
Generation Food Rural Partners I, LP, a Big Idea Ventures fund; the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; and George Kaiser Family Foundation announced a joint investment in CASSIE, Inc., an Oklahoma-based company developing innovations that strengthen the state’s food and agriculture economy.
CASSIE was a member of the accelerator program’s Activate Oklahoma rural innovation pipeline, and graduated from the program in February 2025. As a program participant, CASSIE’s founders underwent an intensive business accelerator program, which included an Oklahoma-specifc business curriculum and entrepreneurial mentorship.
CASSIE developed cutting-edge solutions in the biological air fltration technology space. Serving high-demand sectors, CASSIE is addressing critical needs in areas where clean air and safety are essential.
“CASSIE was founded to scale advanced air purifcation systems
that use cutting-edge technology and fltration to neutralize airborne threats, translating breakthrough innovation into practical solutions that will be benefcial for critical applications,” said co-founder and CEO, Eric Garrison. “With this new round of investment, CASSIE will bring its technology to new markets and serve our growing customer base.
“Our solutions are uniquely positioned for healthcare, where controlling hospital-acquired infections and ensuring patient safety are paramount, and for the food and food safety industries, where clean air directly impacts product integrity, worker health, and regulatory compliance.”
OKFB is an investment partner of the Generation Food Rural Partners I, LP, in collaboration with fellow investors who have experience in the food and agricultural investment arena.
“This investment is the culmination of months of partnership building, highlighting what can happen when public, private, and philanthropic partners come together around a shared vision,” said Tom Mastrobuoni, Chief Investment Ofcer of Big Idea Ventures. “CASSIE will not only advance breakthrough technologies but also generate high-quality jobs and economic growth for communities across Oklahoma. We expect this to be the model for additional investments in Oklahoma.”
Collegiate, YF&R Discussion Meet registrations now open
klahoma Farm Bureau is set to host the Collegiate and Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meets Nov. 6 and 7 during the OKFB convention in Oklahoma City.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. at the Omni Hotel and Convention Center in OKC. The Collegiate Discussion Meet is for members of an Oklahoma Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. The collegiate winner will compete at the 2026 American Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon.
The YF&R Discussion meet will begin with an orientation on Friday, Nov. 7, at 8 a.m. at the Omni Hotel. The OKFB YF&R
Discussion meet is for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. Competitors will participate in two rounds of discussion at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and the top four competitors will advance to the fnal four round, which begins at 12:30 p.m.
Both of the 2025 Discussion Meet registrations are now available online at okf.news/yfrdiscussionmeets25. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 31.
The list of questions that will be used during the meet can be found online at okf.news/yfrdiscussionmeets25.
If you have questions about the events, or for more information, contact Burton Harmon at (405) 523-2300.
Fourth In the Weeds masterclass series will be held
virtually Oct. 29
klahoma small business owners from around the state can participate virtually in the fnal session of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s In the Weeds masterclass series ofered through the organization’s Oklahoma Grassroots Rural and Ag Business Accelerators program.
The fnal masterclass series will be ofered online via a virtual learning platform Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
The event is free for business owners to attend, but registration is required and is available on the OKFB website at okfarmbureau.org/intheweeds.
OKFB’s In the Weeds program is a four-session masterclass series designed to break down barriers that often exist between entrepreneurs and funding. The remaining session for 2025 will cover revenue and sales.
For more information on OKFB’s Oklahoma Grassroots Rural and Ag Business Accelerators program, In the Weeds and other rural development initiatives, visit the program’s web page at okfarmbureau.org/accelerator.
OKFB hosts 2025 Farmhand Olympics during Oklahoma State Fair
klahoma Farm Bureau hosted the 2025 Farmhand Olympics Saturday, Sept. 13, during the Oklahoma State Fair.
More than 100 attendees participated in activities that paid tribute to real-life farm chores.
The event gave children and adults an opportunity to have fun with a host of agriculture-based activities to connect Farm Bureau and rural Oklahoma agriculture.
OKFB to host annual meeting Nov. 7-9
klahoma Farm Bureau is set to host the organization’s 2025 annual meeting in Oklahoma City Nov. 7-9 at the Omni Hotel and Convention Center.
OKFB members will gather to learn from a myriad of speakers, discuss issues and opportunities in agriculture, and set grassroots policy for the coming year.
Leaders will also be elected during the meeting, including OKFB president; state directors for districts three, six and nine; along with Women’s Leadership Committee and Young Farmers and Ranchers leaders.
Below is a schedule of events during convention as of press time. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. The fnal schedule will be in the convention program.
1 p.m. OKFB District Caucuses (Districts 3, 6 and 9)
1:30 p.m. .............................................................................................. General Session
5:30 p.m. Farm Family Reception 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 9
7:30 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
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YF&R award applications open through Oct. 15
pplications for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award, Charles L. Rof Award and Moesel Award applications are now open through Wednesday, Oct. 15
YF&R Achievement Award
The YF&R Achievement Award recognizes YF&R members who have excelled in their farm or ranch, and have taken an active role in Farm Bureau programs and activities. Participants are involved in production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks.
YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award
The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes YF&R members who have a passion for agriculture, but who do not earn a majority of their income from an owned agriculture enterprise.
YF&R Charles L. Rof Award
The OKFB Charles L. Rof Award recognizes the top county YF&R committee that works to improve their local committees while strengthening the Farm Bureau organization. Each county YF&R committee is encouraged to participate by describing the activities hosted or sponsored throughout the year, no matter how large or small the scope.
YF&R Moesel Award
The OKFB Moesel award recognizes the top Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter that works to improve their local chapter while strengthening the Farm Bureau organization.
Award winners will be announced at the 2024 OKFB Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City in November. Achievement and Excellence winners will compete at the 2027 American Farm Bureau convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, representing Oklahoma in AFBF’s national YF&R competitive events.
