By Lydia Hill, 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
Today was Youth and FFA Day at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. This morning, high school and middle school students from across the Southeast competed in various challenges.
The Georgia State FFA Tractor Driving Competition was held this morning. Students take a written test and a driving test, both of which are based on tractor operating skills.
Youth Challenges were also held this morning. The six categories in this competition are agricultural mechanics, plant science, animal science, agribusiness, forestry/environment and natural resources, and gauntlet. Youth Challenges were sponsored by Hays-LTI.
ABAC agricultural education students plan, facilitate, and coordinate the six tests. UGA’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) created the gauntlet test. Middle school and high school students, and FFA advisors can participate in these tests.
The Advocacy in Action Challenge is a two-part competition sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau that aims to engage students in the areas of agricultural policy and advocacy.
It was an exciting day for the students to showcase their industry knowledge and skills. AgriSupply sponsored the lunch for the students.
This year’s youth competition winners are:
- State FFA Tractor Driving CDE Winner: Cole Faust – Oglethorpe County FFA Chapter
- Advocacy in Action High School Winner: Central High School of Carroll County
- Advocacy in Action Collegiate Winner: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
- Agricultural Mechanics Winner Senior: Callie Kite – Jasper County High School
- Agricultural Mechanics Winner Junior: Jaxson Tanner – Rutland Middle School
- Plant Science Winner Senior: Violet Bolme – Valdosta High School
- Plant Science Winner Junior: Willis Cait Pilgrim – C.A. Junior High School
- Ag Business Winner Senior: Leon Bearden- Mary Persons
- Ag Business Winner Junior: Garrett Atkinson – Worth County Middle School
- Forestry/ENR Winner Senior: Preston Wages – Appalachee High School
- Forestry/ENR Winner Junior: Morgan Richards – Tift County High School
- Animal Science Winner Senior: Madelyn Brimer- Lee County High School
- Animal Science Winner Junior: Lucas Bergerren – C.A. Gray Junior High School
- Gauntlet Winner Senior: Autumn Smith – Mary Persons
- Gauntlet Winner Junior: Andrew Barrett – Pierce Middle
- Teacher Winner: Lindsey Guyot
- ABAC Student Winner: Haigen Walker
- Most Participation Winner: Worth County
