Issues facing farmers and ranchers were the focus of Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2022 Collegiate Discussion Meet. Stephanie Bushnell from West Texas A&M University was named the winner of this year’s contest following a discussion on foodborne illnesses.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to replicate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each student.
The annual contest is hosted by TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Advisory Committee and offers college students an opportunity to dive deeper into agricultural issues and network with fellow students.
Bushnell is a senior studying agricultural education. She is active in West Texas A&M Collegiate Farm Bureau, Collegiate FFA and Texas AgriWomen. The Colorado native is also a member of Randall County Farm Bureau.
This year, Bushnell and 15 other college students from across the state participated in the competition.
“This contest helps college students develop problem-solving skills through research and collaborative discussion, as well as learn more about agriculture and Farm Bureau,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.
Topics of discussion in the first two rounds covered right-to-farm laws and how Farm Bureau can be more inclusive of all agricultural and production practices.
The four finalists included:
- Stephanie Bushnell, West Texas A&M University
- Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University
- Lucas Bradshaw, Texas A&M University
- Kyleigh Hemken, Tarleton State University
Participants were scored based on their speaking skills, effective problem solving and cooperative communication with other contestants.
As the top contestant, Bushnell took home a $2,500 cash prize and a plaque. She will also represent Texas in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2023 Collegiate Discussion Meet contest.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities I have had both with Colorado Farm Bureau and with Texas Farm Bureau, and I look forward to staying involved with Texas Farm Bureau as I start my career as a high school agricultural science teacher and first-generation agriculturalist,” Bushnell said.
Heischmidt, the runner-up, received a $1,500 cash prize and a plaque.
He is majoring in animal science and serves as the Ag Advocacy Committee chair for West Texas A&M Collegiate Farm Bureau. He was also active in 4-H and FFA during high school, attended TFB’s Youth Leadership Conference and was the District 2 winner in the TFB Free Enterprise Speech Contest.
The remaining finalists—Bradshaw and Hemken—each received a $750 cash prize and plaque.
Bradshaw is pursuing a degree in agricultural economics at Texas A&M. He was active in 4-H and FFA, serving as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador and Texas FFA Foundation Ambassador.
Hemken is studying animal production, with a minor in poultry science, at Tarleton. She is an officer of Tarleton’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter and was active in 4-H in high school.
Other participants included:
- Brenna Beckendorf, Tarleton State University
- Morgan Bradshaw, Tarleton State University
- Cord Brown, Tarleton State University
- Megan Condry, West Texas A&M University
- Mia Encinias, West Texas A&M University
- Eathan Coy Hammit, Sam Houston State University
- Courtney Herrera, Sam Houston State University
- Niquole Knapp, West Texas A&M University
- Abby Law, Tarleton State University
- Raelynn Rhodes, Tarleton State University
- Kirby Russell, West Texas A&M University
- Carley Turner, Angelo State University
Learn more about TFB opportunities for collegiate students and young farmer and rancher activities at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.