By Emmy Powell
Communication Specialist

Seven FFA chapters presented their Agricultural Issues Forum presentations to Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) staff to prepare for area Leadership Development Events competitions.

TFB staff listened to each presentation and provided feedback and insight on each topic.

The FFA Agricultural Issues Forum includes a team of three to seven students who research and examine a current agricultural issue, create a portfolio and also develop and deliver a presentation that stresses both pros and cons of their selected agricultural issue. At the event competition, members use verbal skills and presentation abilities to defend their findings and answer judges’ questions.

“Each year, we invite FFA chapters who are participating in Ag Issues to present, allowing Farm Bureau staff to offer valuable insights the students may not have considered,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “Leadership Development Events help build students’ personal and professional skills. By providing thoughtful feedback and asking intentional questions about their topics, we help them prepare for competition, deepen their understanding of agriculture and foster critical thinking.”

FFA chapters meeting with TFB staff this year included Grandview, Perrin, Corsicana FFA, Waco-Midway, Vista Ridge, Brownwood, A&M Consolidated and Academy.

Topics that were presented at the TFB headquarters included biosolids, urban sprawl and CRISPR-Cas9, among other topics.

Corsicana FFA researched and presented on the Texas Beef Checkoff. Their forum covered the state checkoff and how it impacts cattle ranchers.

“We decided it would be a good topic to discuss the pro and con side about, because a lot of farmers and ranchers don’t know how the checkoff works, especially here in Texas,” said Sarah Beck, a senior at Corsicana High School.

The forum simulates the study of and interest in agricultural issues among agricultural students and the “non-agricultural” public. The contest also encourages local efforts by providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies as a result of instruction in issues analysis.

Students on the team are assigned a pro or con position on the topic.

“Once we figured out our side, we then research about the pros of the beef checkoff and what the cons are,” Beck said. “A lot of details were put into it. A lot of time and research and a lot of time in putting the presentation together.”

The Agricultural Issues Forum presentation can be a maximum of 15 minutes in length. The judges will ask questions of all individuals of the presenting team, including the technician. Each individual is required to respond to at least one question from the judges.

Beck and the rest of the Corsicana FFA Ag Issues team competed at the Area VIII LDE competition, where they placed second. They now advance to the state contest, which will be held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.