Contact:
Molly Zentz, APR
317-692-7822
765-469-3150
mzentz@infb.org

(Indianapolis) – January 22, 2020 – Indiana Farm Bureau member, Amie Osborn of Miami County, placed third in the nation in the Young Farmer & Ranchers Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau convention in Austin, Texas. Osborn won the INFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet in December, earning her position in the national competition. 

Osborn competed, alongside young farmers from across the county, in three rounds of the Discussion Meet in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. The first round of competition began on Saturday, January 18 and the Sweet 16 was held on Sunday. A panel of judges determined that Osborn should advance through each round to the Final Four on Monday, January 20 where she placed third. 

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. 

Osborn and the other finalists discussed common dilemmas and potential problems facing farmers in America, such as opioid addiction mental health in rural communities, the introduction of cell-based food products and labor shortage. The question for the final round was about how agriculture can develop, invest and commercialize to innovate new uses of agriculture products and by-products. 

Osborn is a vice president, commercial and agriculture lender at First Farmers Bank & Trust in Converse, Indiana. She is a graduate of California State University, Chico and holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University. Osborn is originally from Copperopolis, California. 

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About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has promoted agriculture in Indiana through public education, member engagement, and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to ensure a farmer’s right to farm—protecting the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers—because agriculture is vital to Indiana’s economy. Learn more at INFB.org