The winner of the American Farm Bureau (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet, announced at the Farm Bureau FUSION Conference, is Kylie Bruce of Georgia. Bruce was awarded the top prize following a discussion on technology as a driving force for innovation in agriculture.
Bruce is studying agriculture education and poultry science at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and will receive her associate of science degree in May.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to replicate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each collegiate participant. Participants are judged on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an agricultural topic and find answers or solutions related to it.
Credit: AFBF
Bruce qualified for the national competition upon winning the Georgia Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet. As the national winner, she received a $3,000 scholarship from competitive event sponsor CHS Foundation.
In addition to Bruce, three finalists participated in three rounds of discussion before making it to the Final Four round. Finalists were Samantha Ludlam, Michigan; Coty Vannoy, Tennessee; and Chandler Vaughan, Virginia. They each received $1,500 courtesy of CHS Foundation.
Thirty-five competitors participated in this year’s Collegiate Discussion Meet. All competitors received a $100 scholarship courtesy of CHS Foundation, in recognition of their efforts and making it to the national level; students advancing to the “Sweet 16” round received an additional $250 scholarship.
The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and realize their full potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.
Source: American Farm Bureau Federation