Madisonville North Hopkins High School won the first Best School Garden Salsa Challenge at the Kentucky State Fair Monday. As the winners, Madisonville North Hopkins will receive a VIP visit during Ag Education Week. Pictured are, from left, Alex Garrott, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Riley Peyton, Hadley Webb, Kelcie Greer, Keeley Peyton, Lilli Norman, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, and Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher.
Madisonville North Hopkins wins first salsa challenge at Kentucky State Fair
Students grew ingredients in their school gardens, created original recipes to compete
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2025) – Madisonville North Hopkins High School came out on top in the first Best School Garden Salsa Challenge at the Kentucky State Fair, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has announced.
“What’s not to love about salsa?!,” Commissioner Shell said. “But more important than the delicious, fresh recipes these students made, are the lessons they learned. This contest provides students with the skills to grow their own food, work together as a team, and produce something delicious from it. Congratulations to everyone who participated.”
The competition was the kickoff event for this fall's All in for Ag Education Week -- Sept. 15-19 -- which is a collaboration between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), the Lieutenant Governor's Office, and the Kentucky Department of Education.
KDA's Ag Education and Outreach Division invited schools from across the state to grow their own salsa ingredients in their school gardens, develop an original signature recipe, and present it for judging at the State Fair. Most of the ingredients came from produce the students grew in their school garden this summer with some supplemental products from local producers or produce that don’t grow well in Kentucky. Limes were allowed to be purchased for the salsa.
After judges from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service reviewed recipes based on food safety, prep guidelines, and the basic knowledge students demonstrated about making the salsa, Commissioner Shell, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, and Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher made the final selections.
The Madisonville North Hopkins team, that consisted of FFA members Lilli Norman, Kelcie Greer, Hadley Webb, Keeley Peyton, Riley Peyton, and Alex Garrott, crafted its original recipe – Kernel and Comb Creation – to win. The winning recipe included jalapenos, Roma tomatoes, sweet corn, bell peppers, honey, and cumin. The students produced many of the ingredients used in the recipe, including sweet corn and honey from their school hives. As the winners, Madisonville North Hopkins will receive a VIP visit during Ag Education Week.
Eight teams competed in this year’s contest. Other schools participating included, Bondurant Middle, Nancy Elementary, Highland Middle, Jones Middle, Menifee County Middle, Pride Elementary, and Butler County High. Highland Middle School brought its entire school – about 700 students – to cheer on its team at the fair competition, while Pride Elementary School students wrote a song about salsa to include for their demonstration.
The winning recipe
Kernel and Comb Creation
Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa with Honey Fresh
Serving Size: 4 cups
Ingredients:
● 4 ears fresh sweet corn (or 3 cups frozen, thawed)
● 1 Tbsp olive oil
● 1 red bell pepper, diced
● 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
● 1–2 jalapeños, seeded & finely diced
● 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced (optional)
● 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
● 2 Tbsp honey
● 2 Tbsp lime juice
● 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
● 1/2 tsp cumin
● 1 1/2 tsp salt
● 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
1. Cut kernels off cob. Roast corn on high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until charred.
2. Combine corn, bell pepper, onion, jalapeños, tomatoes, and cilantro in a bowl.
3. Stir in honey, lime juice, spices, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Serve warm. (optional) Chill for 30 minutes before serving.