By Julie Tomascik
Editor
There’s less than a week left to apply for Texas Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet.
Applications, which can be found by clicking here, are due April 2.
The contest consists of a roundtable discussion of two of the five possible agricultural topics, followed by a final round with the top four contestants competing for the prize.
To participate, contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, must have an interest in agriculture and be pursuing an undergraduate degree in agriculture or an agriculturally-related field.
“Today’s students are the future of tomorrow. They will help us find the solutions to some of agriculture’s greatest challenges,” Whit Weems, TFB’s director of Leader Development, said. “The Collegiate Discussion Meet is an opportunity for college students to dive deeper into those agricultural issues, discuss them with their peers and consider ways to be involved in agriculture after college.”
The annual event, Weems said, helps build discussion and critical thinking skills.
“It also encourages students to think outside the box when it comes to issues facing agriculture and the solutions that are needed,” he said.
Competing has its benefits. More than $3,500 in prizes will be awarded.
The winner will take home a $2,000 cash award and a plaque. Also included in the prizes are expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting in December and American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet in February 2019.
The runner-up will receive a $500 cash award, a plaque and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The remaining two finalists will each receive a $500 cash award and a plaque.
“The contest is an opportunity to earn scholarships, but it’s also about students furthering their knowledge on issues facing farmers and ranchers in Texas and across the country,” Colt Christian, chair of TFB’s YF&R program, said. “Agriculture is diverse, and this is a chance to explore new ideas while interacting with students from other colleges and universities.”
The contest is set for Saturday, April 14, in Waco at the TFB Conference and Training Center. It’s sponsored by TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) program.
Click here for more contest information, the discussion meet manual and to apply.
Once a student has registered for the contest, he/she will be provided access to a Google drive with tips and additional information.
Contact Weems at 254-399-5030 or wweems@txfb.org with any questions.