By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

College students from across the state focused on challenges in agriculture during Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2025 Collegiate Discussion Meet. Aubrey Schlimgen from Tarleton State University was named the winner of this year’s contest following a discussion on international trade.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is a roundtable discussion designed to replicate a committee meeting to help college students better understand issues facing all sectors of agriculture.

The annual contest is hosted by TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Advisory Committee and offers college students an opportunity to develop public speaking skills and critical thinking.

This year, Schlimgen and 20 other college students participated in the competition.

“Collegiate Discussion Meet helps college students develop professional and problem-solving skills through discussion with their peers,” said Madalynn Kainer, TFB YF&R Advisory Committee member.

Runner-up in the contest was West Texas A&M University student Jett Long.

The remaining finalists included Kaitlyn Collins and Preslee Richmond, both students at Tarleton State University

Participants were scored based on their speaking skills, effective problem solving and communication with other contestants.

As the top contestant, Schlimgen took home a $2,500 cash prize and a plaque. She will also represent Texas in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Collegiate Discussion Meet contest.

Schlimgen is studying agricultural communications at Tarleton State University and plans to pursue a career in farm broadcasting. She is also a member of Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and active in the St. Brendan’s Catholic Campus Ministry.

Long, the runner-up, received a $1,500 cash prize and a plaque.

Long is pursuing a degree in agricultural business and economics and is a member of the West Texas A&M Collegiate Farm Bureau. He is also an active member of his fraternity and enjoys to give back to his community through church and promoting agriculture in elementary schools.

The remaining finalists—Collins and Richmond—each received a $750 cash prize and plaque.

Collins is majoring in animal science with a concentration in production and equine science at Tarleton State University. She is vice president of the Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau, active member of Tarleton Collegiate Equine Leadership Academy and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers association. After graduation, she hopes to work in livestock pharmaceutical sales.

Richmond is studying agricultural education at Tarleton State University. She is also a member of Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau and actively involved with her church.

Other participants included:

  • Whitley Anderson, Texas A&M University
  • Ema Anderson, Tarleton State University
  • Henry Downing, West Texas A&M University
  • Briana Garcia, Tarleton State University
  • Emily Glaze, Texas Tech University
  • Montana Goodman, West Texas A&M University
  • Jazmin Gutierrez-Davila, Tarleton State University
  • Jayda Johnson, Tarleton State University
  • Cooper Mau, Texas Tech University
  • Keller Metzker, West Texas A&M University
  • Olivia Rosenbaum, Tarleton State University
  • Turner Sanders, Texas A&M University
  • Elise Sharp, Texas Tech University
  • Mattison Smith, Texas Tech University
  • Josie Thomas, West Texas A&M University
  • Caitlyn Wientjes, Texas A&M University at Kingsville
  • Christopher Wristers, West Texas A&M University

Learn more about TFB opportunities for collegiate students at texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate.