Utah Agricultural Products BBQ to Celebrate 30 Years of Community, Agriculture, Student Scholarships

Utah State University will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Utah Agricultural Products BBQ on Sept. 26.

This year’s event marks three decades of bringing together agricultural producers, community members, alumni, and students in support of scholarships in the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

What began as a grassroots idea to connect the agriculture industry with university students has grown into a beloved annual tradition and a powerful force for creating bright futures for students. Over the past 30 years, the Ag Products BBQ has raised more than $369,000 to build an endowment and funded more than 400 scholarships, helping students pursue careers across agriculture, food production, and natural resources.

“This really started as a way for the industry to invest in its future,” said Randy Parker, chair of the Ag Products BBQ Board. “It’s become a labor of love, an event that brings together the university, the industry, and the community to do something meaningful for students.”

This year, the BBQ is in conjunction with Utah State’s Homecoming football game and festivities. The food-fair-style BBQ attracts over a thousand attendees each year and highlights the best of Utah’s agricultural industry. Producers, including cattle ranchers, fruit and vegetable growers, dairy farmers, and wool growers, prepare and serve food directly to guests — assisted by current college students, faculty, and staff members — to create a unique farm-to-table experience and a rare opportunity for connection.

That direct interaction makes the event so impactful as participants get opportunities to meet the people who grow and produce their food, strengthening understanding and appreciation for agriculture.

“There’s tremendous value in that connection,” Parker said. “People can talk directly with producers and better understand where their food comes from. It’s a powerful way to bring everyone together.”

For students, the event’s impact goes far beyond a single day. Scholarships funded through the BBQ help alleviate financial burdens, allowing students to focus on their education and career goals.

Allie Crumley, a veterinary science student, scholarship recipient, and Quinney College Ambassador, said the experience has been life-changing.

“This scholarship really allowed me to focus more on my classes and not worry as much about the financial side of my education,” she said.

Crumley has also witnessed firsthand how the BBQ fosters lasting relationships. “It really brings together the students, donors, sponsors, and the community, and you can see how they all are working toward a common goal,” she said. “You can make lifelong friendships and be part of something bigger than yourself.”

In addition to strengthening relationships, the BBQ plays a critical role in educating the public. By creating a space where consumers and producers interact directly, the event helps bridge the growing gap between people and their food sources, highlighting the importance of agriculture in a time when that connection may get lost.

As the Ag Products BBQ enters its 30th year, its legacy is clear: a community-driven event that has grown into a lasting partnership dedicated to supporting students and advancing agriculture.

“This is something people look forward to every year,” Parker said. “It’s a feel-good event that has done a tremendous amount of good.”

The 30th anniversary celebration will be from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Craig Aston Park on the USU Logan campus, 1390 N. 800 East. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to qanr.usu.edu/alumni/ag-bbq.