LRE’s community involvement goal is focused on supporting our neighbors in areas meaningful to them. In Oklahoma and Texas, that means supporting both agriculture and education.
The LRE Foundation, along with several LRE employees, recently provided donation support and a presence at the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo held in Oklahoma City, OK. The Youth Expo is the largest youth event in Oklahoma, featuring 7,000-plus 4H and FFA members who bring more than 13,000 head of livestock and agricultural mechanics projects and compete for titles such as Grand Champion. The Youth Expo’s mission is to provide Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members opportunities to showcase their agricultural projects and foster their future education goals.
LRE’s support for the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo included not only an LRE Foundation sponsorship donation, but the participation of several employees who manned a booth at the event. LRE’s Alisha Huckaby, Justin Conley, Jesse Monroe, Melissa Lozano and Michael Curtis represented the company’s Twelvemile and Mayes County Solar projects located in Oklahoma.
LRE representatives manned two tables near the event barns during two days of the event. The employees distributed LRE branded items and spoke with participants about renewable energy.
“We had a lot of fun and enjoyed both the event and the participants,” noted Alisha Huckaby, Site Admin for the Mayes County Solar projects. “It was exciting to learn how the animals are judged and wonderful to see the youth so involved and enthusiastic. We were proud to represent LRE, it really felt like we were part of the community.”
LRE’s education and agricultural youth support was also present recently in San Antonio, Texas through a first-time donation to the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The annual event features a broad range of livestock and rodeo contests as well as traditional fair events and exhibits.
LRE’s donation supported the Stock Show and Rodeo’s Sheep Skillathon, a competition allowing students to show their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm about raising and managing sheep. LRE’s donation was used to provide financial recognition to competitors who placed high in the competition but did not win.
Brooke Akins, LRE’s Senior Manager of Sustainability and Adam Schappaugh, Real Estate Manager, both attended the event representing LRE.
“We’re passionate about kids and we get to benefit a lot of them every year, “said Brian Faris, Competitive Events Director for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo who added that the event distributes approximately $12 million annually in scholarships and awards.
“This was our first year working with LRE and it was a great experience,” he added. “I was impressed that LRE had representatives there. It showed the company’s commitment to supporting our mission of emphasizing education and agriculture to develop the youth of Texas.”
About LRE
Founded in Texas in 2003, LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) owns and operates 30+ wind, solar, and energy storage projects totaling over 4GW nationwide. LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. We prioritize domestic jobs, local community partnerships, and protecting the land in our long-term approach to meet American energy needs. To learn more, visit www.lreus.com.
