Farmersville FFA students shine at Collin County Junior Livestock Show

Farmersville ISD FFA and agricultural science students posted a strong showing at the 2026 Collin County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, held Jan. 3–9 at Myers Park in McKinney. Exhibitors from Farmersville brought home top division placements and breed and showmanship honors across livestock, rabbit and horticulture categories, underscoring the county event’s role in youth education and the local agricultural economy.

Among the standout results, Cypress Tyson earned first place in a sheep class, and multiple Farmersville students placed in beef, swine, rabbit and horticulture competitions. Awards and sales recognize both animal quality and the training students receive through classroom instruction and hands-on mentorship in FFA and ag science programs. Photos credited to Farmersville ISD document student exhibitors and their projects, capturing the culmination of months of animal care, grooming and preparation.

The Collin County show functions as more than a competitive arena: it is a community marketplace and training ground. Buyers at the sale put funds directly into the hands of youth exhibitors and their families, helping offset project costs and supporting continued participation. Local veterinarians, feed suppliers, volunteer judges and 4-H and FFA leaders contribute expertise, creating a network that links rural producers and suburban consumers across Collin County.

There are public health and equity dimensions to the show’s community impact. Local youth engagement in agriculture promotes food literacy, work skills and access to fresh food pathways that can strengthen nutrition and resilience across neighborhoods. Agriculture coursework and competitive projects expand career options for students from diverse backgrounds, offering pathways into agribusiness, veterinary services and food systems work that can address economic disparities in parts of the county.

The county event also highlights policy intersections. Support for school-based agricultural education and county fairs complements broader efforts around farm-to-school initiatives, food access programs and workforce development. Sustaining these programs requires continued investment in school ag programs, volunteer infrastructure and market channels that ensure fair compensation for youth labor and animal care.

For Farmersville families, the show validated months of effort and affirmed community backing for youth development. For the wider Collin County community, the results are a reminder that local agriculture and education remain intertwined. As the spring project season approaches, Farmersville ISD’s FFA and ag science instructors expect students to build on this momentum, and community members who buy projects or volunteer at shows will see those investments circle back into healthier food systems and stronger local economies.