OPSU Interscholastics Strengthens Regional Agriculture Education and Draws Record Participation

Goodwell, Okla —Oklahoma Panhandle State University hosted its largest and most impactful Inerscholastics competition to date on November 10th and 11th, 2025. The two-day event brought 64 schools from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado to the Goodwell campus, with more than 1,725 contest entries across a full slate of career development events and public speaking contests.

This year’s competition showcased every major area of agricultural education, including Livestock, Land and Range Judging, Ag Communications, Food Science, Floriculture, Ag Sales, Employment Skills, Quiz Bowl, Entomology, and Natural Resources. Each contest was fully coordinated and judged by OPSU students, faculty, and alumni volunteers, reflecting the university’s long-standing belief in learning by doing and its commitment to mentoring future agricultural leaders.

OPSU President Dr. Julie Dinger said the event demonstrates the university’s central role in strengthening agricultural education across the High Plains region. “Inerscholastics gives hundreds of students a hands-on introduction to the skills and leadership qualities that agriculture demands, Dr. Dinger said. “Serving the Panhandle and the surrounding states is part of who we are. Events like this show the real impact of our faculty, students, and programs have on the region.”

The competition has seen remarkable growth in recent years, now drawing schools from across five states in the Great Plains. This expansion is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of OPSU’s faculty and students, who meticulously plan, organize, and lead each contest. Their commitment has earned OPSU’s Inerscholastics a reputation among agricultural education programs as one of the most well-organized and student-centered.

Tracy Kincannon, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Nursing, highlighted how the event serves both high school students and OPSU students who help run it. “Our students gain valuable experience by planning and leading each contest, and the high school participants benefit from working directly with future ag professionals,” Kincannon said. “This is the heart of our mission. We are building a pipeline of knowledgeable, skilled, and service-minded agricultural leaders for our region.”

The benefits for high school participants extend far beyond competition. Students practice real-world problem solving, communication, teamwork, and technical evaluation that mirror the demands of modern agriculture and agricultural science. Whether analyzing soil profiles, creating marketing plans, or identifying plant and insect species, students gain early exposure to career pathways that are essential to the future of the industry.

The event also represents one of OPSU’s largest campus-wide collaborations. The College of Agriculture, Science, and Nursing organizes the competitions with significant support from Admissions, Facilities, Campus Police, Dining Services, and Communications. Volunteers from across campus and the community come together each year to make the event possible.

Looking ahead, OPSU plans to continue expanding contest offerings, increase opportunities for hands-on career exploration, and strengthen mentorship between OPSU students and high school participants. The long-term vision is to double participation again within three years and position OPSU as the premier host of FFA and agricultural education contests in the Great Plains.

Through its continued investment in events like Interscholastics, OPSU reinforces its role as a leader in agricultural education and a driving force for opportunity, innovation, and community connection across the region.

View photos from the day here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAC5s

About OPSU 

Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public university committed to access, academic excellence, and regional service. Located in Goodwell, Oklahoma, OPSU serves students from a wide range of backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on rural and first-generation learners. With career-focused programs in agriculture, business, education, nursing, science, and the liberal arts, OPSU offers a personalized learning experience grounded in small class sizes and close faculty support. The university is guided by the values of grit, collaboration, accountability, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. These principles shape our commitment to student success and drive our impact on the communities we serve.