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Crystal Tolbert of Knox County was the winner of the 2020 Indiana Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet at Vincennes University.

The event was hosted virtually via Zoom.

 Tolbert just completed her associate degree at Vincennes and is planning to continue working toward her bachelor’s degree next semester. She will represent Indiana at the American Farm Bureau Federation FUSION Conference in March.

The other finalists were Audrey Hislip, Andre Lehman, Madison Heiden and Brandt Wilson, all of Knox County.

The contest, which was held Nov. 4, featured three rounds, each with a different discussion topic:

• Round 1 – The decline in rural populations is accelerated by a poor farm economy. What solutions would enhance the vibrancy and economic sustainability of agriculture and rural communities?
• Round 2 – International trade is important to agriculture.  We must continue working to build strong relations with existing customers while seeking out new trade partners to strengthen market stability. How can we enhance existing, and establish new and diverse foreign trading partners? 
• Round 3 (the finals) – The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters creates additional risk for farmers and ranchers. What tools and production practices can be engaged to reduce climate and weather risks?

INFB hosts one or two Collegiate Discussion Meets each year. Any Farm Bureau member who is 18 years or older and who is currently enrolled as a student is eligible to compete.