Larson Named Illinois Farm Bureau Discussion Meet Winner

Larson Named Illinois Farm Bureau Discussion Meet Winner

CHICAGO - Ann Larson of Shabbona, Ill., was named the discussion meet winner at the annual meeting of the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) in Chicago, Dec. 1-4. Larson has been a member of the IFB Young Leaders for two years and is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in agriculture business and communications and marketing.  

In addition to receiving a trophy, Larson will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2013 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in Nashville and the opportunity to represent Illinois at the national discussion meet. She also received $2,500 cash from the Illinois Farm Bureau, use of a Massey-Ferguson tractor, courtesy of AGCO, and expense-paid trips to the 2013 GROWMARK annual meeting, 2013 AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher conference and the 2013 Young Leader state conference.

"The Young Leaders really are a fun group of people that, for lack of a better way to say it, just get stuff done," Larson said. "And, the competitions are fun, too. I enjoy the discussion meet because I actually enjoy talking to the other contestants on stage. There's really great information exchanged during the competition. Ideas that are formulated that, when you end the discussion meet, you're able to take away and know they'll be great programs, even though it wasn't a real panel that discussed it." 

The IFB discussion meet judges a contestant's ability to manage a small group discussion. Each contestant gives an opening statement. Participants exchange facts and insights on a pre-determined topic. Judges award points based on how well participants work with one another, how well they express themselves, and on their knowledge of the topic. 

Topics for 2012 discussion meet included a discussion on fair and balanced immigration policy, 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 as a metropolitan community, and the role that Farm Bureau can play in ensuring the viability of quality agricultural education programs within schools. Twenty-one district winners vied for the title of state winner during the IFB annual meeting. 

IFB promotes and sponsors the discussion meet with the goals of developing young peoples' leadership and communication skills on behalf of agriculture and of working together and reaching consensus on how to deal with current issues in agriculture.  

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