Junior Hokie Showcase Introduces Local Students to Agriculture and Science

Annual event at Virginia Tech connects fourth-graders to real-world applications of classroom subjects

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:36pm

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A bold, abstract painting in muted greens, browns, and blues, featuring sweeping geometric shapes, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the interconnected nature of agriculture, science, and technology.The Junior Hokie Showcase highlights the diverse ways agriculture, science, and technology intersect to shape the world around us.New River Today

Hundreds of fourth-grade students from across the New River Valley recently attended the 4-H Junior Hokie Showcase at Virginia Tech, where they explored interactive exhibits on topics ranging from animal science and wildlife to drone technology and precision agriculture. The event aimed to broaden students' understanding of the diverse industries that support their communities while also showing how academic subjects like math and science have real-world applications.

Why it matters

Events like the Junior Hokie Showcase are designed to spark early interest in STEM fields and agriculture-related careers, which are crucial for the future of Virginia's economy and communities. By introducing students to these topics in an engaging, hands-on way, the showcase hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists, farmers, and natural resource stewards.

The details

During the full-day event, students rotated through a variety of interactive stations covering topics such as animal science, wildlife, natural resources, precision agriculture, and academic programs at Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension. At one stop, they encountered sheep and pigs up close and learned about their care and health. At another, they explored how drones, GPS, and other technologies are changing modern farming. Other stations highlighted tree identification, wildlife observation, and the diverse career paths available in agriculture and natural resources.

  • The Junior Hokie Showcase took place on April 6, 2026.

The players

Morgan Paulette

A Virginia Cooperative Extension agent who demonstrated drone techniques and safety with students and teachers.

Meredith Hoggatt

A Montgomery County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension agent who fielded questions on flower biology.

Case Keatley

A writer for Virginia Cooperative Extension who covered the event.

Virginia Tech

The university that hosted the Junior Hokie Showcase at its Alphin-Stuart Livestock Teaching Arena.

Virginia Cooperative Extension

The organization that partnered with Virginia Tech to put on the educational event for local students.

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What they’re saying

“Events like Junior Hokie Showcase are about much more than a single field trip. They are designed to broaden students' understanding of the industries that help feed, fuel, and sustain communities while also showing them that those industries are full of opportunity.”

— Case Keatley, Writer, Virginia Cooperative Extension

What’s next

The Junior Hokie Showcase is an annual event, so the next edition is scheduled to take place in April 2027 at Virginia Tech.

The takeaway

The Junior Hokie Showcase demonstrates how hands-on, interactive learning can inspire students to explore STEM fields and agriculture-related careers that are vital to the future of Virginia's communities. By exposing young learners to the real-world applications of their classroom studies, the event aims to cultivate the next generation of scientists, farmers, and natural resource stewards.