FFA Week at the Livestock Show
The Woodward District Livestock Show Social Media Team.
Across the country, National FFA Week is a time filled with engaging activities that encourage chapter involvement and celebrate all things FFA. In Northwest Oklahoma, however, FFA members and agriculture teachers take on an additional responsibility during this busy week: the annual Woodward District Livestock Show.
As livestock shows nationwide work to modernize and stay connected with bigger audiences, many are embracing new ways to share updates and results in real time. The Woodward District Livestock Show established a social media team composed of local students in 2018, and continues to work to make the show accessible, engaging and easy to follow, no matter where supporters may be. The northwest area students chosen for the social media team celebrate FFA Week every day of the stock show by highlighting not only their own individual talents, but also by showcasing the stock show participants through interviews and photography.
The social media team provides students with a valuable opportunity to build relationships with other like-minded individuals in the area, strengthen their communication skills and gain experience in graphic design. Different students participate each day, pairing up to conduct interviews with livestock exhibitors. Their videos are then uploaded to social media platforms. Before conducting interviews, team members receive a brief lesson about effective interviewing techniques. As a result, many participants leave with a stronger understanding of how to communicate confidently and professionally.
Another group of students sits at a table throughout the day, posting livestock show results on Facebook and livestreaming the event. They are also responsible for designing award sheets, putting their graphic design skills into practice.
No matter their assigned role, participants consistently form friendships in the process. Many times, students have never met one another before, but as they spend the week working together, they begin to realize how much they have in common. This is what makes FFA so special — it brings students together and encourages genuine connection, rather than simple coexistence.
Although these schools may not participate in many traditional National FFA Week activities, they experience the true roots of FFA by serving others and building lasting friendships along the way.
