Honorees Beyond the Spotlight

Beyond the spotlight is where you’ll find our 2023 Show Honorees. Every year, the Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma recognize those who go above and beyond to make OYE ‘The Greatest Show.’ This year, we are proud to present Mr. Randy Pirtle and Mr. Greg Ramsey as the 2023 Show Honorees.

Randy Pirtle, 2023 Sirloin Club Show Honoree

Randy Pirtle entered the ‘Big House’ in Oklahoma City as an exhibitor for the first time in 1974 at the Oklahoma 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Show. Pirtle grew up showing cattle as part of his 4-H and FFA chapter and later attended Oklahoma State University where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Upon his graduation, he went to work for OSU Extension where he served for 34 years.

Pirtle has always been passionate about 4-H and FFA programs and has dedicated much of his career and life to assisting Oklahoma’s ag youth and providing young people with the opportunity to be leaders of their industry, local communities, state and country. For much of his career, Pirtle has served on the OYE Sheep Committee, working with exhibitors inside and outside of the showring.

Pirtle and his wife, Susan, currently live in Copan, Oklahoma, where they operate Pirtle Farms, which is primarily a club lamb operation. Together they have two daughters, Aspen and Cassie, along with four grandchildren: Maverick, Tucker, Savannah, and Bristol. Still today, Pirtle says he still gets an adrenaline rush when he walks down the alley to enter the ‘Big House,’ just as he did as a young showman.

Greg Ramsey, 2023 Sirloin Club Show Honoree

Greg Ramsey is the co-owner of Blue and Gold Sausage Company, a long-time partner of the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Often found working diligently behind the scenes and out of the spotlight, Ramsey manages the food safety and protocol procedures for the production of Blue and Gold Sausage.

Ramsey hails from Jones, Oklahoma, where he grew up showing pigs throughout his FFA career. He then attended Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. While at college, he met is wife, Shelly, who together have one daughter, Peyton, who shows cattle.

Today, Ramsey is heavily involved within the agriculture industry. He currently serves on the board of Agricultural Education Scholarship Inc., which provides scholarship opportunities for agricultural education students at Oklahoma State University. He was also recognized by the Oklahoma State Ferguson College of Agriculture as a Distinguished Alumni. Additionally, Ramsey has been an active member in the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma for several years and now joins his father, Don Ramsey, and brother, Brett Ramsey, as an OYE Show Honoree.

OYE undoubtedly would not be possible without both of these men. If you see them around the barns this year, be sure to stop and tell them “thank you.” We are excited to grant them this distinguished award and welcome them to this prestigious group. Congratulations, Randy Pirtle and Greg Ramsey.

– Written by JD Rosman