Maddie Smith, from Preston and attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, majoring in agricultural education and agricultural communications and marketing, qualified for the final four in the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Collegiate Discussion Meet during the MFBF 101st Annual Meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington November 23.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet finalists competed in two semi-final rounds on November 23 followed by the final four competition. Contestants were judged on their basic knowledge of critical farm issues and their ability to exchange ideas and information in a setting aimed at cooperative problem solving.
“After competing in the Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, I have grown as a communicator, team player and agricultural advocate,” said Smith. “My experience interacting with farmers and agricultural leaders never ceases to inspire me as I pursue a career in agriculture.”
This year’s winner was Amber Johnson, from Sebeka in Wadena County, attending the University of Minnesota – Crookston, studying agricultural communications. Johnson receives an expense paid trip from the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation sponsored by Christensen Farms to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Collegiate Discussion Meet in March 2020. The winner also receives a $500 scholarship and the runner-up a $250 scholarship from the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation sponsored by Gislason & Hunter.
The final four also included Ashle Benson, from McLeod County, attending SMSU, majoring in agricultural communications and Ashley Anderson, from Pope County, attending SMSU, majoring in agricultural education.
For information about joining Farm Bureau, call your county office or log onto www.fbmn.org. Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in Minnesota representing Farmers • Families • Food. Nationwide, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has over 5.5 million members in nearly 2,800 county Farm Bureaus.