Flyers’ squash soup takes top prize at Kentucky State Fair

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2026) – Franklin County High School cooked up a winner at the Kentucky State Fair. Its squash soup, made with ingredients grown largely in the school garden, earned the top spot among eight teams in the second annual School Garden Challenge.

“With fall right around the corner, Franklin County High School picked the perfect recipe,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “These students took an idea from seed to table. They grew the food, developed their recipes, and worked together to bring it all to life. That kind of hands-on learning is what ag education is all about. Congratulations to Franklin County High School on a well-earned win.”

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's (KDA) Ag Education and Outreach Division invited schools from across the state to grow produce in their own school gardens, develop an original signature squash recipe, and present it for judging at the State Fair.

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 dishes, a blind taste test was held to determine the winner. The taste test was judged by Commissioner Shell, Kentucky Pork Producers Executive Director Niki Ellis, and Purchase Region State FFA Vice President Mallory Beliles.

The Franklin County High School team, that consisted of FFA members Adam AlHamdani, Gage Click, Makenzie Ratliff, and Gabby Roe, crafted its original recipe using butternut squash, red bell pepper and jalapenos. The team was coached by Kylen Douglas, Erica Baxter, and Grace McGaughey.

"I enjoyed this contest because it was something different that we have never done before," Franklin County FFA team member Makenzie Ratliff said. "It was a fun way for our team to be creative and step out of our comfort zones, especially cooking on the stage in front of that many people. Being an FFA officer and an advocate for agriculture, I enjoyed learning the process to not only grow our food at school but also cook it. We are already looking forward to next year's contest.

The competition helped kick off the countdown to All in for Ag Education Week, which runs Sept. 21-25. The week is a collaboration between KDA, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and the Kentucky Department of Education. As this year’s champion, Franklin County High School will receive a special VIP visit during the week.

Second Street School, out of Frankfort, placed second with its squash salsa Verde with flatbread. Bristow Elementary School, out of Bowling Green, placed third with a squash tot recipe.

Other participating schools included Saratoga Farm School, Barren County Schools, Providence Elementary, Highland Middle School, and Menifee County FFA and 4-H.

Winning Squash Soup Recipe

Simmer in pot

•     1 tablespoon of olive oil 
•     1 onion diced 
•     2 Cloves Garlic Minced 
•     1 Red Bell Pepper Diced 
•     1 Jalapeno Diced 
•     1 Butternut Squash peeled and cubed 
•     4 Cups chicken stock 
•     Cumin, Salt, Pepper and Chilli Powder (Measure with your heart) 

After simmer

•     Once boiled and soft use immersion blender until all ingredients are smooth and there are no chunks 
•     Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes and simmer 
•     Top with crunchy tortilla strips