In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) took a leap of faith by launching its first-ever Ag Mechanics contest. It was a modest beginning—a “first effort” held in the Oklahoma Building with just 62 projects. Jerry Renshaw, the superintendent of the contest and a veteran agricultural educator, recalls those early days with a sense of pride in how far the program has come.
Fast forward to 2026, and the transformation is nothing short of historic. The contest has moved out of its original home and into the OKC Fair Park’s Bennett Center, fulfilling a long-held goal for Renshaw. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays talked with Renshaw in the Bennett Event Center as the judging continued on Saturday.
A New Era of Innovation
Jerry Renshaw, the superintendent of the contest and a legendary figure in Oklahoma agricultural education, stood amidst a sea of steel and precision engineering this week, marveling at the evolution. The 2026 show features approximately 225 projects—nearly quadruple the original 2020 turnout—with students representing every corner of the state, from the Panhandle to the southeast.
“In the very beginning, I’m going to call them the straightforward, basic projects… trailers or wildlife equipment,” Renshaw said. “Well, now everybody has stepped up their game. We’ve got trailers that can do multiple functions with hydraulics, with electronics, with wireless remote… The ‘A-game’ on building it and the ‘A-game’ on presenting it is way better than 2020.”
The ingenuity on display ranges from high-tech shop tables—including one famously equipped with a kitchen sink—to wireless-operated wildlife equipment and projects integrating the latest in AI and advanced welding systems.
The jump in quality is as significant as the jump in quantity. While early projects focused on “straightforward, basic” designs like simple trailers or shop equipment, today’s entries are high-tech marvels. Renshaw notes that the “A-game” in both building and presentation has reached a level that far exceeds the standards of 2020.
Beyond the Show Ring
One of the most unique aspects of the Ag Mechanics show is the demographic it serves. In a traditional livestock-heavy event like OYE, this contest provides a vital alternative for students who don’t participate in animal projects.
- 80% of the exhibitors in Ag Mechanics do not show livestock.
- The contest offers an outlet for the “industrial side” of agriculture, allowing kids to showcase skills they can turn into a career.
- Students have opportunities to meet with industrial vendors for internships and job placements.
Renshaw highlights a success story involving P&K Equipment, which now employs former OYE exhibitors who came through the program on scholarships.
Renshaw says that before the OYE began their Ag Mechanics Contest- the only outlet for students was at the State Fair of Oklahoma. In those days, hours of work resulted in being awarded with a prize that included a $25 check and a trophy. This year’s contest boasts approximately $75,000 in total prizes, scholarships, and equipment.
A Legacy of Service
For Jerry Renshaw, this isn’t just a job; it’s a lifetime’s work. Recently inducted into the Ag Educator Hall of Fame in November 2025, Renshaw’s motivation remains simple: a love for the kids and the craft.
Reflecting on his career and his role as superintendent, Renshaw jokes, “I’m retired but I work for free and it’s the best job I got.” He intends to stay involved as long as he is physically able, driven by the desire to see students succeed in business or as experienced professionals in the industry.
As the 2026 OYE continues, Renshaw’s message to parents and teachers is clear: keep pushing the boundaries of what can be made by hand. He continues to see 4-H and FFA members bringing more and more projects to future contests.
Explore more about the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo by clicking here for the show’s website. The complete updated calendar can be seen here.
