Copperas Cove High School CTE Students Host Farmers Market Showcasing Student Businesses

Copperas Cove High School’s Career & Technical Education and FFA programs hosted a student-run Farmers Market inside the high school cafeteria on Saturday morning, the Copperas Cove Leader-Press reported Feb. 27, 2026. The event brought multiple student businesses together with community members to highlight entrepreneurship and school spirit.

Turner, who spoke to the Leader-Press, framed the market as part of a broader workforce and community-outreach effort. "Our purpose and our plan is to continue to provide skills to our students and to be able to support our community and kind of build on that school spirit, and just proving that this is the place for our kids to be," Turner said. "This is the place where our community members would want to partner with Copperas Cove ISD, because we try to make ourselves the school of choice for Central Texas."

Cove Leader-Press coverage named specific student-run booths. Culinary arts students operated the Bulldawg Brew booth and offered cupcakes, cookies and beverages, including popular "dirty sodas." Sparky Sweets shifted from producing potpourri through a family and consumer sciences partnership to focusing on freeze-dried candy after acquiring new equipment; Turner said, "We did get a new freeze dryer. I believe that that’s been since the last market, so they’re able to mass produce the freeze-dried candy, which has been a big hit." The original short report also listed Bulldawg Ink (ap) among participating student businesses, and the Leader-Press headline cited barbecue, apparel, florals, sweets and more as market categories.

Organizers chose the cafeteria as the indoor venue because of February weather concerns, a change from prior outdoor markets. The school promoted the market on social media in the weeks beforehand: an Instagram photo credited to Copperas Cove High School - Copperas Cove ISD was posted Feb. 17, 2026 using hashtags including #CopperasCoveISD #FFA #FarmersMarket #SupportLocal #CTE, and a Facebook announcement read, "Farmer's Market on Friday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Copperas Cove High School!" The Facebook timing differs from the Saturday-morning timing reported in the Leader-Press and the original Feb. 26 brief.

Turner noted growing local backing for the student enterprises. "I love that we continue to expand. I love the community support," he said. He has urged the CTE and FFA programs to build on that momentum as they continue offering hands-on business experience to Copperas Cove students and pursue partnerships across Central Texas.