By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Youth leaders of Texas FFA, Texas 4-H and Texas FCCLA participated in service activities, trainings and more to promote ag awareness during the State Fair of Texas this week.

“We are at the State Fair to spread awareness about agriculture,” Caroline Welker, first vice president of Texas FCCLA, said. “This is a neat opportunity as a senior in high school. It’s been a great experience to participate in the service projects, the social media training and other activities this week.”

The student leaders helped pack boxes of produce and hygiene items for the North Texas Food Bank.

They also participated in an advocacy training session hosted by Texas Farm Bureau on how to share agricultural messages on Instagram and TikTok.

“It is important for young people to be involved in youth organizations like these because they teach you about agriculture, and they give you opportunities to network with peers and industry professionals,” Campbell Offield, Texas FFA Area One state vice president, said.

During the Ag Awareness Day, which was held Oct. 12, FFA, 4-H and FCCLA students from the state participated in a canned food drive. Together, they collected over 30,000 pounds of food.

Students then embarked on an educational scavenger hunt across the fairgrounds, and the event concluded with a special agricultural message and recognition of the three youth organizations.

“This week at the State Fair, we’ve been working with other officer teams from FCCLA and FFA to build these connections between all three organizations because they’re so fundamental to agriculture in our state,” Wes Shaw, Texas 4-H Council member, said. “Being involved in these youth organizations allows you to make connections that can be beneficial later in life.”

The State Fair of Texas runs through Oct. 23.

Texas Farm Bureau’s Doorways to Agriculture exhibit will be on display through the remainder of the fair.