Expect Delays

The snowy scene wasn't quite what anyone expected at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, nor was being stranded in Atlanta for an extra day or so.  However, all's well that ends well, and our Missouri participants are safely home once more.


One of these snow-bound participants was Young Farmer and Rancher, Brad Bray.  Brad competed in December at the Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in the "Discussion Meet" and placed first among a highly competitive group of contestants. 


His reward?  $500 from the MFB Foundation for Agriculture, $500 from Dodge, and a year's free use (150 hour limit) of a Case-IH Farmall tractor!  Not to mention three nights lodging at the convention hotel in Atlanta for the national competition.  Who'd have guessed Brad would need four nights due to a disaster-stricken, snowed-in south!

With prizes like these, you're probably wondering what exactly a Discussion Meet is and how you can get in on it!  Well, participants are given five pre-selected topics to study.  At the meet one of the topics is selected and competitors discuss ideas, pros and cons, and information about the topics.  Judges select a winner.  This year's topics were:

1. Farm Bureau is the leading voice for agriculture but not the only voice. How do we encourage other agricultural groups to work together for the common good of our industry?
2. Government has always been involved in agriculture. Is the current level of government involvement a net hindrance or a net benefit to agriculture?
3. How will food movements such as “foodie” and “locavore,” which are focused primarily in urban centers, influence national agricultural production and federal programs?
4. Has technology become essential for American farmers? Should Farm Bureau influence and encourage all generations of farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists to embrace technological opportunities? 
5. Given recent challenges, such as volatile food prices and limited world food supplies, do American consumers adequately appreciate the importance of US-produced food? Will American consumers consider American agriculture important to our security in the future?

All Young Farmers and Ranchers are eligible for this competition.  Simply apply through your local Farm Bureau office in the fall.  And just so you know, next year's American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is in Hawaii. 

I doubt there will be snow delays...