Rick
Jones Memorial Scholarship to be awarded at
The Southern Plains Farm Show Scholarship Competition
At 9:45 AM Thursday, April 17, 2008 a commercial cattle grading scholarship competition will kick off the 3RD ANNUAL SOUTHERN PLAINS FARM SHOW. The top scoring individual overall will receive the Rick Jones Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2000.00. Rick Jones was a lifelong cattleman and a founding partner of OKC West Livestock Market, Inc.; El Reno, OK. Sadly, Rick passed away recently. Rick always realized the importance of having a good eye for cattle, feeling it was the single most important key to success in any aspect of the cattle business. He always encouraged young people who were interested in the cattle business and will continue to do so through the memorial scholarship bearing his name. This interesting event will take place outdoors in the airplane court at State Fair Park.
Tthe competition is open to
all FFA and 4H members.
Those participating will first attend a 45 minute seminar on grading presented
by Gary Bledsoe, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Consultant on Rural Development.
Following Bledsoe's presentation, teams of 4 contestants will grade 15 head
using the criteria covered in the seminar. Scoring will be supervised by Oklahoma
Careertech Ag Education department district program specialists Kurt Murray,
Guy Shoulders and Rose Bonjour.
A total of 30 scholarships totaling $6300.00 will be awarded to the top three FFA teams, the top three 4H teams and the top three individuals from FFA and the top three individuals from 4H. There will also be an open class for individuals not participating in the scholarship competition. The Top Three scores from each team will be counted and awards made to the top three teams from both 4H and FFA ( a total of 24 ). Additionally, the top 3 individual scores from both 4H and FFA will receive awards and recognition.
OUR PARTNERS IN PRESENTING THIS
COMPETITION
Equipment for the competition is courtesy of Powder River and Linn Post &
Pipe ( Panels Gates & Pens); cattle for the competition are provided by OKC
West Livestock Market Inc. of El Reno. Funding for the Commercial Cattle Grading
Competition Scholarships is also through sponsorships and gifts. Career Tech,
OSU Extension, 4-H, and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture for their support
through supply of grading cards and personnel who staff and manage the actual
competition."
Midwest Shows Scholarship Programs, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 corporation and has awarded over $35,000 in scholarships at their Livestock Handling Skills Competition held during the Tulsa Farm Show in December and the Southern Plains Farm Show Commercial Cattle Grading Competition in April.
