IL Ag Student Wins National Discussion Meet

Talk about pins and needles...

Last night, just as the announcer for the American Farm Bureau's 2013 Collegiate Discussion Meet said, "the moment you've all been waiting for," the fire alarm sounded and everyone was asked to leave the room! 

There was no smoke, but that didn't mean the anticipation hadn't heated up. After all, one of the four finalists on the stage was Illinois' own Jacob Meisner, of Piasa, in Jersey County. Meisner competed against 46 other college students at the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ.

When the alarm was cleared, the finalists took to the stage again - only to hear that Meisner had won this national title. As the winner, Meisner earned a $2,500 scholarship from the CHS Foundation.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to develop young leaders for agriculture and Farm Bureau. The contest allows participants to develop communication skills, increase understanding of key agricultural issues and become consensus builders and problem solvers.

"To have Jacob win this contest is extremely exciting for Illinois Farm Bureau. We're very proud of Jacob, and we know he'll go on to be a great leader for Illinois' farming community," said Illinois Farm Bureau's Young Leaders Manager, Jennifer Smith.

Meisner is a freshman at the University of Illinois. He is studying agriculture education, which he says is "the perfect way to combine my passion for agriculture and teaching."

Meisner grew up on a corn and soybean farm. He also raised and showed Shorthorn beef cattle, rabbits, and Boer goats for 4-H. He spent time during high school working for a local dairy farm. He is also a former Illinois Association State FFA Officer.

Jim Tobin of Farmer City (DeWitt County) also competed. Tobin is a freshman at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He is pursuing two degrees, one in general agriculture and another in political science. He was awarded a $250 scholarship.

"The demand for articulate spokespeople to tell the story of agriculture will continue to grow, which is why valuable training programs such as the Collegiate Discussion Meet are so important," said Smith. "And, it is clear that Illinois future leaders are stepping up to the challenge. I'm so proud of Jacob, Jim, and everyone who competed."