Ferrum College's Austin Brigman Finishes as Runner-Up

Ferrum College's Austin Brigman Finishes as Runner-Up at the 17th Annual Young Farmers Collegiate Discussion Meet

FERRUM, Virginia, December 12, 2024 – Ferrum College sophomore Austin Brigman, was the first runner up in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 17th Annual Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet, held Nov. 15 at Virginia Tech. 

The Collegiate Discussion Meet competition simulates a roundtable committee meeting in which discussion, cooperation, and active participation are expected from each contestant. Competitors are judged on their discussion skills, understanding of important agricultural issues, and ability to build consensus.

In this year’s competition, seven Virginia-based college students discussed four pre-determined topics—diversifying farm portfolios; competing for agricultural land; engaging diverse agricultural communities; and how Farm Bureau can help increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land, and protect private property rights. In the final round, the four finalists shared ideas on how county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members, along with ways young board members can help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future.

Read the complete article on Ferrum.edu HERE.