From the Showring to Stillwater

From humble beginnings in Sweetwater, Oklahoma, to the bustling life of an Oklahoma State University student in Stillwater, Oklahoma, much has changed in the life of Mason Smith. Many lessons have been learned and memories made from 7 years old to 19 years old, but that which has remained constant is his involvement in the agriculture industry.

As a native of Elk City, Oklahoma, Smith grew up showing and raising sheep from his family’s club lamb operation down the road in Sweetwater.

“I have been immersed in agriculture most of my life, and I was fortunate enough to grow up watching my sister show lambs,” Smith said. “When I was finally old enough, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.”

From the time he was of age to show to the time he no longer could, Smith was an avid showman at livestock shows all across the country with a special place in his heart for the Oklahoma Youth Expo, he said.

One will be hard-pressed to find a show of such high caliber as OYE, Smith said. The people, the livestock, and the uniting theme of love for agriculture and youth make it truly elite, he added.

From his first “big win” with his 2013 Tulsa State Fair champion Dorset to winning the Grand Champion market lamb his senior year at the 2020 North American International Livestock Exposition, Smith has had his fair share of success. Nothing, however, compares to the time spent in the barn with family and friends, Smith said.

“It’s the early mornings feeding with my cousins in the barn or the late nights after a show that I feel so thankful for,” Smith said. “These are the moments that taught me the importance of consistency, focus, and attention to detail, which I utilize in several aspects of my life even beyond the barn.”

During his time as a high school student, Smith was active in several extracurricular activities and organizations including FFA, Student Council, and the Oklahoma Agricultural Youth Council to name a few.

When he was not memorizing a speech or helping out around

his school, Smith could be found spending time with his family or participating in leadership activities. Smith also said he has a passion for serving others and spreading his faith, the foundation of his life.

“No matter what I am doing, I try to implement my faith into it because life is nothing without it,” Smith said.

Today, those values still remain the same, he said. Now an agribusiness freshman with a pre-law option at OSU, Smith is utilizing his tried-and-true work ethic developed in the barn with hopes to attend law school upon graduation. Later, he hopes to return back to western Oklahoma to practice agricultural law and serve rural communities.

Every chance he gets, he is back helping out at home and doing his best to lead the upcoming generation, Smith said.

“I value coming back and helping those who got me to where I am,” Smith said. “It’s my goal to help all the youth I can at shows of all sizes, especially OYE, and invest in them long after my time in the ring ends.”

Smith said he places great importance on staying involved in the agriculture industry even from a collegiate level because it is his future, and it helps ensure the future of others.

“Even though my time in the ring is over, I am still very passionate about this industry and the Junior Livestock Program,” Smith said. “I am humbled to continue my involvement, and I truly cannot wait to see what the future holds for my time in agriculture.” ” – Written by Emile Mittelstaedt