csettle@infb.org

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Dec. 15, 2025 – Megan Platt of Shelby County is the winner of the 2025 Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Discussion Meet. The competition, which was held Dec. 12-13 in French Lick as part of the Indiana Ag Gathering, is one of the four major awards presented to Farm Bureau members aged 35 and younger. During the competition, contestants participated in a group discussion that simulated a committee meeting to analyze agricultural issues and decide on possible solutions.

Platt and the other finalists discussed common dilemmas and potential problems facing farmers in America. Topics and questions included the following:

1. Urban sprawl presents significant challenges for farmers and ranchers, impacting access to land and resources, with 1.9 million acres of agricultural land lost to development each year. How can Farm Bureau help promote responsible growth in communities while mitigating the loss of farms, ranches and the agrarian way of life?
2. There are numerous resources available to support seamless farm succession planning. How can Farm Bureau help increase understanding, access, and utilization of tools and resources that help facilitate the smooth transition of land and capital from one generation to the next?
3. Farmers are at the forefront of environmental stewardship. From soil health to local ecosystems, producers are concerned about how to be both environmentally and financially sustainable. How can farmers and ranchers effectively advance environmental stewardship while balancing the needs of their farms?
4. Farm Bureau offers a diverse range of member benefits at the state and national levels. What strategies can be implemented to ensure members are fully informed about the savings on products and services available to them? Additionally, how can young farmers leverage these industry relationships to strengthen local partnerships and increase utilization of these discounts to keep their operations running smoothly?

This year’s INFB Discussion Meet consisted of four rounds of competition, including semifinal and “Final Four” rounds. During the final round, the contestants competed, discussing how technology and digital engagement can be leveraged to effectively connect Farm Bureau members with their local, state and national officials. This year’s winner was announced during the closing lunch on Dec. 13.  

Platt now advances to the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet, which will be held during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Jan. 9-14 in Anaheim, California. Platt comes from a third-generation beef cattle and row crop operation in Shelby County. She farms with her husband in Fairland, Indiana, where they also have a beef cattle and row crop operation. She graduated from Purdue University where he studied agriculture education. Platt is an agriculture teacher at Waldron Junior-Senior High School where she teaches eighth grade through 12^th grade. She currently serves as the Shelby County Farm Bureau president.

As the winner of the INFB Discussion Meet, Platt will receive a $4,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses-paid trip to the national convention in Anaheim. The three runners-up were Lillian Knust of Vigo County, Caleb Purkhiser of Washington County and Diana Rulon of Hamilton County. The runners-up each will receive a $1,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.

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 About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has protected and enhanced the future of agriculture and our communities. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to cultivate a thriving agricultural ecosystem to strengthen the viability of Indiana agriculture. Learn more at INFB.org.