By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas had a voice in the national Collegiate Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) FUSION Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Dylan Bacon, a Texas A&M University Commerce student, represented Texas Farm Bureau in the national contest over the weekend.
Bacon, who won the TFB Collegiate Discussion Meet, was among 53 students in the contest and advanced to the second round.
He discussed how food companies employ many tactics to gain a marketing edge and how Farm Bureau can work to ensure that consumers understand the labels and have confidence in the safety and quality of their food.
In the second round, Bacon discussed the nation’s tax policy, including what a balanced and beneficial policy should be like for agriculture.
The 25-minute conversation was scored on speaking skills, effective problem-solving and cooperative communication with other contestants.
“Dylan, along with the other collegiate students, presented innovative ideas on agricultural and consumer-related topics,” Whit Weems, director of Leader Development, said. “Their discussions this weekend showed that the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agricultural communicators are engaged on the issues facing agriculture.”
The event encourages problem-solving through cooperative discussion among young farmers and ranchers, Weems said.
The conference, which runs through today, features seminars and breakout sessions to bring together volunteer leaders from the Promotion & Education and Young Farmers & Ranchers. More information can be found here.