Ag Champions

McLoud FFA Sentinel Madison Bickel, Historian Mayrin Perez, Treasurer Emma Bellah and Chaplain Austyn Wood stand in front of where the new McLoud FFA greenhouse is being constructed. The greenhouse was approved by the school board in July and was paid for with ESSER III funds. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

McLoud FFA Sentinel Madison Bickel, Historian Mayrin Perez, Treasurer Emma Bellah and Chaplain Austyn Wood stand in front of where the new McLoud FFA greenhouse is being constructed. The greenhouse was approved by the school board in July and was paid for with ESSER III funds. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

McLoud FFA Looks Forward To New Greenhouse

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, December 22, 2022
The weather forecast may be calling for frigid temperatures, but McLoud FFA members are looking forward to growing plants in their climatecontrolled greenhouse. As of Dec. 15, the dirt work was done, and the posts were in place for the 1,800-squarefoot structure.
Bethel FFA chapter officers attended the OKFFA COLT (Central Area’s Chapter Officer Leadership Training) conference where they were recognized for achieving the State Three-Star Superior Chapter Award. Photo provided

Bethel FFA chapter officers attended the OKFFA COLT (Central Area’s Chapter Officer Leadership Training) conference where they were recognized for achieving the State Three-Star Superior Chapter Award. Photo provided

Bethel, Tecumseh FFA Chapters Receive 3-Star Awards

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The Bethel and Tecumseh FFA Chapters both received their Three-Star State Superior Chapter Awards during the Oklahoma FFA Central Area Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference in September.
Tecumseh FFA eighth-grader Milie Esquivel serves a little boy beans as Rylee Chaffin dishes up chocolate cake during the Annual Pig Roast at Tecumseh High School’s Alumni Center on Nov. 18. According to a post on the Tecumseh FFA Facebook page, they had a “tremendous crowd and raised a record amount.” Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Tecumseh FFA eighth-grader Milie Esquivel serves a little boy beans as Rylee Chaffin dishes up chocolate cake during the Annual Pig Roast at Tecumseh High School’s Alumni Center on Nov. 18. According to a post on the Tecumseh FFA Facebook page, they had a “tremendous crowd and raised a record amount.” Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

THS Pig Roast Raises 15-16K

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The long-standing tradition of the Tecumseh FFA Pig Roast was back in its old form this year, and it was welcomed with open arms by the community. About 315 people enjoyed a to-go or sitdown meal at the Tecumseh High School Alumni Center on Nov. 18.
Pottawatomie County Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Freeman, right, presents an oversized check for $2,500 to North Rock Creek sophomore Stephen Wickerd, who won first place in the inaugural Beef Quiz Bowl on Oct. 22. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Pottawatomie County Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Freeman, right, presents an oversized check for $2,500 to North Rock Creek sophomore Stephen Wickerd, who won first place in the inaugural Beef Quiz Bowl on Oct. 22. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Cattlemen’s Association Holds First Beef Quiz Bowl

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, October 27, 2022
There were 26 Pottawatomie County high school students who chose to spend a couple hours of their Saturday morning taking a test. It was the inaugural Beef Quiz Bowl - held at the Tecumseh High School Alumni Center on Oct. 22 - and the stakes were high, with a purse of $10,000.
Recreating the first Pottawatomie County Free Fair picture taken with Board Chairman Randy Gilbert when she was much younger, Morley Griffith accepts a Beef Breed Champion bucket during the Fair Awards on Sept. 10. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Recreating the first Pottawatomie County Free Fair picture taken with Board Chairman Randy Gilbert when she was much younger, Morley Griffith accepts a Beef Breed Champion bucket during the Fair Awards on Sept. 10. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Dale FFA President Morley Griffith Juggles Roles

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Morley Griffith, President of Dale FFA, is having a busy year. Now in her senior year, she has had an incredibly successful career in 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America.
Taylor Marrs, of Tecumseh, third from left, poses during the Junior National Hereford Expo, held in Louisville, KY, July 16-22. Marrs won first place in the Intermediate Division of the Extemporaneous Speech contest. Photo provided.

Taylor Marrs, of Tecumseh, third from left, poses during the Junior National Hereford Expo, held in Louisville, KY, July 16-22. Marrs won first place in the Intermediate Division of the Extemporaneous Speech contest. Photo provided.

Marrs Wins At Banners On The Bluegrass

Taylor Marrs
Thursday, August 25, 2022
By TAYLOR MARRS In addition to exhibitions, Hereford-showing youth competed for numerous special awards during the 2022 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), Banners in the Bluegrass, in Louisville, KY.
David Turner, of Tecumseh, is the Chairman of the Beef Quiz Bowl Committee for the Pottawatomie County Cattleman’s Association. The Quiz Bowl will be held on Oct. 22. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

David Turner, of Tecumseh, is the Chairman of the Beef Quiz Bowl Committee for the Pottawatomie County Cattleman’s Association. The Quiz Bowl will be held on Oct. 22. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

PCCA To Host First Beef Quiz Bowl On Oct. 22

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Attention, all high school students from Pottawatomie County who wish to win money. The Pottawatomie County Cattlemen’s Association (PCCA) has been planning all year for their inaugural Beef Quiz Bowl to be held at the Tecumseh High School Alumni Center on Oct. 22.
Siblings Cord and Cora Bender pose with Princess the Dorper hair sheep at their farm near Dale. The Benders both received their State FFA Degrees this year. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Siblings Cord and Cora Bender pose with Princess the Dorper hair sheep at their farm near Dale. The Benders both received their State FFA Degrees this year. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Cord And Cora Bender Cooperate To Earn State FFA Degree

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, July 28, 2022
In May, siblings Cora and Cord Bender walked across the stage at the OK State FFA Convention in Tulsa to accept their State FFA Degrees. As seniors, the brief moment was bittersweet. They were representing the Dale High School FFA Chapter and wearing their FFA jackets for the last time.
South Rock Creek 4-H President Gabe Hobbs stands in his garden during last year’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” county garden contest. Hobbs won first in the contest. This year, Hobbs has organized his own gardening contest, focusing on bell peppers. Photo provided.

South Rock Creek 4-H President Gabe Hobbs stands in his garden during last year’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” county garden contest. Hobbs won first in the contest. This year, Hobbs has organized his own gardening contest, focusing on bell peppers. Photo provided.

Gabe Hobbs Grows His Own 4-H County Contest

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, June 30, 2022
South Rock Creek 4-H Club President Gabe Hobbs discovered his love of gardening three years ago. It was the same year he joined 4-H and entered a county-wide garden contest for members. It was also the year of the COVID-19 quarantine.