By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Four high school students were recognized by the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo and Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) for their discussion of agricultural issues and solutions through the annual Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge.

“The Speak Out For Agriculture contest encourages high school students to engage with Farm Bureau, network with peers across the state and better understand challenges facing agriculture,” said Dr. Clarissa Darby, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator.

The winner of this year’s contest was Anna Green of Fort Bend County. Green earned a $2,500 scholarship, jacket and banner.

Green is a senior at Cinco Ranch High School and is active in FFA, Environment Club and participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition. She also volunteers with SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship as a horse sidewalker leader and horse manager. Green plans to pursue a degree in agricultural engineering.

Savanna Swanson of Navarro County was named runner up and received a $1,500 scholarship, jacket and banner.

Swanson is a senior at Corsicana High School and serves as Corsicana FFA president and an Area VIII FFA officer. She also plays golf, is active in 4-H, serves on student council and is a member of the National Honor Society. Swanson is a Ford Leadership Scholar through Texas FFA, and she plans to major in agricultural education at Texas Tech University.

Two finalists—Natalie Vaughn and Evan Norris—were each awarded $750 scholarships, jackets and banners.

Vaughn is a senior at North Hopkins High School and is an Area VI FFA officer and chapter president of North Hopkins FFA. She also serves as the president of her school’s student council and volunteers with the Bright Star Baseball team. Vaughn plans to study wildlife biology and pre-vet medicine at West Texas A&M University.

Norris is a senior at Cinco Ranch High School. He is active in FFA and is the varsity basketball team manager. He plans to study poultry science or sports management in college.

received a $125 gift card. They included:

  • Avery Anderson, Cinco Ranch FFA
  • Audrey Collier, Howe FFA
  • Parker Dugan, Hill County 4-H
  • Mason Gardner, Bland FFA
  • Anna Green, Cinco Ranch FFA
  • Kaden Gordillo, VR Eaton FFA
  • Hagen Hendrix, Quanah FFA
  • Eli Hwang, Williamson County 4-H
  • Dax Kopeck, La Vernia FFA
  • Drake Minter, Axtel FFA
  • Masyn Morrow, La Vernia FFA
  • Evan Norris, Cinco Ranch FFA
  • Armando Pereira, Cinco Ranch FFA
  • Lily Schoeneberg, Wharton County 4-H
  • Savanna Swanson, Corsicana FFA
  • Natalie Vaughn, North Hopkins FFA

The event was created for high school students who are active in Texas 4-H and Texas FFA with an interest in agriculture, membership organization involvement or public policy.

Over 50 students participated in this year’s contest, which began with 90-second speeches in the preliminary rounds. Additional contest rounds featured discussion on technology and advocacy.

The contestants were responsible for the exchange of ideas and information to solve the problem addressed in the topic and to develop action plans for a solution.

The 2026 SOFA Challenge was sponsored by TFB and hosted by the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco Oct. 3-4.

For more information on youth opportunities and scholarships available through TFB, visit texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities.