It’s not all about livestock, even at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Each year, the stock show hosts an agricultural mechanics contest, allowing Texas 4-H and FFA members to show off what they can do with their hands.
Entries include items ranging from agricultural machinery and equipment to livestock equipment, outdoor recreation, wildlife equipment, trailers, and restoration projects. Members work under the supervision of instructors and adult leaders to build or restore projects to complete in any of the six divisions.
The contest was held January 12 to 14, 2024, and projects are exhibited until early February after the stock show.
Here are some of the entrants from the agricultural mechanics show
New Braunfels FFA’s brought home the trailer division champion, torch cutting champion, and the overall grand champion.
Hamilton FFA won trailer division champion, reserve overall champion, and overall champion showmanship with their bright, purple, “Bulldog Built” flatbed trailer.
Edgewood FFA members entered four projects, including an entrance gate, pea sheller, deer feeder, picnic table, and a third-place wildlife cleaning station.
Brewer FFA from Fort Worth had a team that competed at their first major show with a fire pit that brought home a blue ribbon.
Bland FFA also brought many projects, from a barbeque trailer to a water trailer, bale spear, and more.
Rivercrest FFA from Bogota entered a 16-foot stock trailer, shop table, dump trailer, 30-foot flatbed gooseneck trailer, and an entry gate.
The Early High School FFA chapter brought home a pile of blue ribbons, including second and third-place entrants for a welding table and entry gate.
Stephensville FFA’s crew brought home blue ribbons in all projects, from the 20-foot lowboy trailer to the smoker trailer and arena drag.
Sam Rayburn FFA from Ivanhoe made a showing with blue ribbons earned for quality work in their projects.
Saltillo ISD FFA also brought home the blue from the ag mechanics show.
Yoakum FFA brought home championship awards in woodworking, metalwork, and showmanship.
Daingerfield FFA entered a picnic table, a mobile deer cleaning gantry, and a shop table.
While these are just a few of the projects entered, the FFA and 4-H Agricultural Mechanics entrants at the Fort Worth Stock Show showcased exceptional talent, innovation, and dedication. If you’re at the stock show and rodeo, it’s a section worth visiting!
»Related: New Mexico FFA member’s ag mech project leaves lasting impressions