By Colleen Barber, 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
The Youth Educational Challenges at the Sunbelt Ag Expo initiate a passion and understanding of various sectors of the agricultural industry to students. Middle and high school students are given the opportunity to take tests in their chosen area to test their knowledge and abilities against other students their age. The students can take tests in the following areas: Agricultural Mechanics, Agriculture Business, Animal Science, Forestry and Environmental Natural Resources, Plant Science, and the Gauntlet.
Each competition had winners for the junior and senior divisions. In the Agricultural Mechanics test, the junior winner was Ryan Culpepper, and the senior winner was Garrett White. The junior winner of the Plant Science test was Sophia Gilstrap, and the senior winner was Alexis Ellis. In the Agriculture Business test, the junior winner was Adah Barkley, and the senior winner was Phillip Barnes. For the Forestry and Environmental Natural Resources test, the senior winner was Ryan Bertram, and the junior winner was Landon Hembree. In the Animal Science test, the junior winner was Noah Jones, and the senior winner was Emma Summerlin. For the Gauntlet test, the junior winner was Andrew Barrett, and the senior winner was Jaden Maddision. Teachers also took the Gauntlet test, and the winner was Rebecca Macedo of Woodland High School. Jasper County FFA Chapter also took home the award for highest participation with over 100 students in the challenges.
Students from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Agricultural Education program help to lead and operate the youth challenges at the Expo. These college students had the opportunity this year to take the Gauntlet test and challenge their knowledge for their upcoming work fields. The winner in their division was Nathan Kain.
Congratulations to each of these individuals who took a step to challenge themselves in their respective areas to further their understanding and ability.
