The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Committee invites all undergraduate students (attending the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming Junior College) majoring (or with a minor) in agriculture to talk their way towards $300 cash. On Oct. 16, 2012 the YF&R Committee will host the eighth annual WyFB YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet. The competition will be at the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Laramie.
“This competition affords an opportunity for college students to apply what they are learning to current agriculture issues,” Chalsey Kortes, Wyoming Farm Bureau YF&R State Chair, stated. “It is great preparation for anyone majoring in agriculture. Whether you are going into an agriculture business or back to the ranch, becoming involved with issues that affect the agriculture industry and developing as a spokesperson for the industry is an essential tool for your resume.”
This competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. Contestants are given pre-determined topics which will be discussed. The five topics this year are:
1. Certain sectors of agriculture are labor intensive and rely heavily on immigrant workers. What is a fair and balanced immigration policy?
2. What can be done to encourage young farmers and ranchers to return home to the farm if it means living in a rural area that does not provide the same amenities (education, health care, technology) as a metropolitan community?
3. How do we reach out to associate members to provide value to their membership?
4. How should Farm Bureau help prepare its members–both young and old–for transferring operations to the next generation of farmers and ranchers? What is Farm Bureau's role in encouraging more transfers?
5. How can Farm Bureau play a role to ensure the viability of quality agricultural education programs within our schools?
Contestants will also give opening and closing statements and are judged on their knowledge, ability to participate in a committee meeting and listen to others and air all points of view.
All contestants will participate in a preliminary round of competition with the top four advancing to the final round. Contestant orientation begins at 4 p.m. on Oct. 16. The winner of the Collegiate Discussion Meet will receive a $300 cash prize. The winner will also receive travel reimbursement to compete for college scholarships in the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet Feb. 8-11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The runner-up will receive a $150 cash prize. The third and fourth place finalists will receive a $25 cash prize.
Visit www.wyfb.org for an application or call 866.272.2197, 307.532.2002 or e-mail kclark@wyfb.org. Applications are due Oct. 5, 2012.
“The competition is a great opportunity for college students to put their knowledge into a competition and also show them the opportunities available through Wyoming Farm Bureau’s YF&R program,” Kortes concluded.
Visit Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers on Facebook for future resource links on the competition topics.
Source: Wyoming Farm Bureau
Posted by Haylie Shipp
