By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Students across the state are sharing their stories of Texas agriculture, and they need your help. All it takes is a simple click.
Monday, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo announced the three finalists in its first-ever video challenge, and Brady Ragland, livestock director for the stock show, said they need your votes before 11 a.m. Thursday.
“We’re always looking for ways to get new students or reach a new demographic,” Ragland told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “So we thought, with the growing popularity of social media, this would be a good way to marry our goal and our mission with kids’ interests these days. We thought there should be some interest out there for that, and then secondly, we thought it would be a great way to bring Texas agriculture and the story of Texas agriculture to everyone on social media platforms.”
“Liking” the video earns the finalist a single point, while sharing the video earns the finalist five points.
The finalist with the most points by 11 a.m. Thursday will be awarded first place in the contest.
“The winning video this year will receive a $500 cash prize donated to us and sponsored by Ranch House Designs, and the runner-up will receive a $300 cash prize donated to us from Texas Farm Bureau,” Ragland said.
Just hours after posting, the videos were receiving attention and votes.
Ragland encourages everyone to keep voting and sharing not just for the finalists, but to share the story of Texas agriculture.
“It is blowing up, and that’s the neat thing about it, too. I think this contest is unique in a lot of ways, because it combines so many aspects of good things. It gets our message on social media. It obviously promotes San Antonio Stock and Rodeo, which is good, but the main thing is also to get the family and friends involved with sharing these,” Ragland said. “We’ve had comments from folks who are sharing these videos that may not even have been associated with ag in the past, but they’re friends of those who are finalists. So they’re helping spread the word for us.”
Ragland said the stock show is will likely bring the video project back next year as an opportunity for everyone to share the story of Texas agriculture.
To vote in the challenge, visit the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Competitive Events Facebook page.