By Julie Tomascik
Editor
College students from across the nation focused on issues facing agriculture during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Collegiate Discussion Meet.
McKenna Bush, a Brazos County Farm Bureau member, represented Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) in the contest.
The event, which is hosted by AFBF’s Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Committee, offers college students an opportunity to dive deeper into agricultural issues and network with students from other states.
This year, 36 students competed in the national contest.
“The Collegiate Discussion Meet gives college students a chance to tackle issues facing agriculture and to focus on how they can be an active part of that solution,” Melody Kneupper, TFB’s YF&R Committee chair, said. “The contest is designed to help these students build problem-solving skills through research, collaborative discussion and personal experience.”
The contest was a roundtable discussion. Topics included how can farmers implement market trends and develop responsive business plans to generate value-added ventures and farm profits; how can Farm Bureau be more inclusive of all agriculture and production practices; and how can Farm Bureau help protect farmers’ and ranchers’ access to production technology options.
Contestants held a 25-minute conversation on each topic. They were scored based on their speaking skills, effective problem solving and cooperative communication with other contestants.
“In each of the rounds, we had good discussion about agriculture, issues facing farmers and ranchers and how we— as Farm Bureau and young people—can be part of the solution,” Bush said.
Bush, who advanced to the Sweet 16 round, noted the competition gave her opportunities to improve personally and professionally.
“I don’t have a traditional agricultural background, but I’m passionate about agriculture. Through high school and college, I’ve learned more about production agriculture and gained a deeper understanding of the issues facing farmers and ranchers,” she said. “I was able to use that knowledge and new experiences to help guide me in preparing for and participating in the state and national contests.”
The contest also gave her a better understanding of Farm Bureau’s advocacy involvement. She even went to Austin with other TFB members to advocate for eminent domain reform with her elected officials.
“The connections I’ve made from being involved in the Collegiate Discussion Meet on the state and national levels, as well as TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher program, have helped me to find my voice and given me the confidence to speak out,” she said.
Bush is a senior at Texas A&M University. She’s double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Journalism and Agricultural Leadership and Development.
After she finishes her undergraduate degree, she plans to intern in Washington, D.C. She also wants to continue her education at Texas Christian University and earn a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Bush won TFB’s Collegiate Discussion Meet in 2018, which qualified her to compete at the national contest.
For more information about the Collegiate Discussion Meet or other YF&R activities, visit www.texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.