Dec. 10, 2009

For more information, contact: Chris Fenner, 317-692-7844  

Mindy Reef, 317-692-7822, mreef@infarmbureau.org 

Editors: This release includes information on discussion meets at Purdue and Vincennes universities with winners from Vanderburgh County and Newton County.

Collegiate Discussion Meet winners announced

   Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet winners from Vincennes University and Purdue University have been announced.

   “The discussion meet is a great way for students to apply what they have learned in their classes and help present solutions to current agricultural issues,” said Chris Fenner, Indiana Farm Bureau leadership development coordinator. “It teaches them how to express their ideas with others to build consensus on issues.”

   Myel Reed was the winner of the Vincennes University contest. Reed is a first-year transfer student studying agribusiness at Vincennes. He is involved in the Agriculture, Business, Technology Club and intramural sports. He also interns for the External Relations Department. He is the son of Michael Reed and Karen Woolfork, both of Evansville.

   Laura Ann Donaldson took top honors in the Purdue contest. She is a freshman studying agricultural economics. On campus, she is involved in collegiate Farm Bureau and is director of student life for Purdue Student Government. Her parents are Paul and Kathie Donaldson of Kentland, Ind.

   Purdue’s meet is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau and the Indiana Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter at Purdue.

   As winners of the meets at their schools, Reed and Donaldson have earned the opportunity to compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Okla., Feb. 20-22, 2010.

   Farm Bureau Discussion Meet contests require participants to discuss an issue affecting agriculture with a panel of other members, similar to a committee meeting. Judges look for contestants who offer constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic.

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