By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Aubrey Schlimgen represented Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Collegiate Discussion Meet and advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the national competition.

Schlimgen, a sophomore majoring in agricultural communications at Tarleton State University, competed against collegiate participants from across the country during the contest.

Schlimgen qualified for the national competition after winning TFB’s Collegiate Discussion Meet in 2025.

“Winning Texas Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet was such a blessing and competing at the national level was an incredible experience,” Schlimgen said. “We had solid conversations in every round and worked through real solutions to the challenges facing agriculture.”

During the national competition, Schlimgen discussed environmental sustainability and stewardship, farm succession planning, and urban development’s impact on agriculture.

“It meant everything to represent Texas Farm Bureau,” she said. “I feel valued in this organization as a past producer myself, as a college student, and also as a future advocate for agriculture. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share agriculture’s story and be part of an organization that supports that mission.”

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to replicate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an agricultural topic and collaborate on solutions.

The national contest was held during the 2026 Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference, which brings together an estimated 850 young agricultural leaders from across the country to learn, share and grow together to build a sustainable future for agriculture and Farm Bureau.

“I love opportunities like this to learn more about agriculture and connect with others in Farm Bureau,” Schlimgen said. “Seeing agriculture in Oregon and learning from workshops and speakers  made this conference and competition a valuable experience. It was also an opportunity to build my professional network.”

The 2026 Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference was held March 13-20 in Portland, Oregon.

For more information about Texas Farm Bureau’s collegiate program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate.