By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) will once again offer college students an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills through the Collegiate Discussion Meet.
But this year the contest will be held virtually.
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we’re hosting this year’s contest, it’s still a great opportunity for college students to dive into current issues facing agriculture,” Jesse Wieners, TFB Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee chair, said. “It’s also a way to practice presentation skills and critical thinking.”
Eligible contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 as of Jan. 31, 2021, and have an interest in agriculture.
Professional speakers and former Collegiate Discussion Meet winners are not eligible to compete.
The contest, which is hosted by TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, helps college students better understand issues facing all sectors of agriculture—farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, the food supply chain and more.
“Today’s students are the future of tomorrow. They will help us find the solutions to some of agriculture’s greatest challenges,” Wieners said. “I think this year, more than ever before, will show students how important it is to think outside the box when it comes to providing solutions to issues facing agriculture.”
The Virtual Collegiate Discussion Meet will consist of recorded responses and live Zoom discussions.
The first two rounds in the contest will be recorded individual responses. Two of the five questions will be selected and provided to contestants via email.
Competitors will have 24 hours to submit two videos, not to exceed five minutes each, containing individual discussion. Videos should include a thesis statement, analysis of the agricultural issue, a suggested solution and ways Farm Bureau can be part of that solution.
The clips will be sent to judges for evaluation.
Scores from the video submission will determine who will advance to the Collegiate Discussion Meet rounds held via Zoom.
“We believe the virtual contest will still meet the core competition objective to develop leaders for effective problem solving through group discussion,” Wieners said. “We look forward to hearing the ideas from this year’s contestants.”
And competing has its benefits.
The winner will take home a $2,500 cash award, a plaque and an expense-paid trip to compete in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Collegiate Discussion Meet in 2021.
The runner-up will receive a $1,500 cash award and a plaque.
The remaining two finalists will each receive a $750 cash award and plaque.
Register for the Virtual Collegiate Discussion Meet by Oct. 7.
Visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR for the application and more information on contest eligibility, details and schedule. The five questions will also be available online.
Contact youngfarmers@txfb.org with questions related to the contest or the organization’s YF&R program.