Author: Artrista Saffold
On February 5, 2026, the Holmes County Career and Technical Center proudly hosted its 4th Save Rural America Conference for the youth in partnership with the Winston County Self Help Cooperative. This annual event continues to serve as a powerful platform for career exploration and agricultural awareness among our students.
Throughout the day, students rotated among vendors representing a wide range of careers within the agriculture industry. From veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation to cooperative development and federal agricultural programs, students were introduced to professionals and pathways they may not typically encounter in their daily lives. Agriculture is a diverse and evolving field that extends far beyond farming, and exposing students to its many dimensions helps broaden their understanding of future possibilities.
Participating organizations included the Mississippi State University Vet Aspire Program, Sow Seeds Inc., Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Museum of Natural Science, Alcorn State University, USDA Farm Service Agency, Mississippi Association of Cooperatives, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, AgSTEP, and Ol’ Shucks. Their presence provided students with meaningful engagement, hands-on conversations, and insight into educational and career pathways in agriculture.
Teaching minority youth about careers in agriculture is especially important. Historically, communities of color have played a vital role in agricultural production and innovation, yet they have often been underrepresented in leadership positions, agricultural sciences, agribusiness, and policy-making roles. By intentionally exposing minority students to agricultural careers, we empower them to see themselves as future veterinarians, conservationists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and agricultural advocates. Providing access, representation, and information helps bridge opportunity gaps and ensures that the next generation of agricultural leaders reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all vendors and partners who invested their time and knowledge into our students. A special thank you to our guests from the Kosciusko-Attala County Career Technical Center. Mr. K. Georgia and his students joined us for a day of meaningful career exploration and collaboration. Finally, we sincerely thank Winston County Self Help Cooperative
(WCSHC) for its shared partnership for years to come.
This Save Rural America Conference with the WCSHC continues to grow each year, and we remain committed to cultivating awareness, opportunity, and inspiration for the future of agriculture.
More photos from this event click here.
