2010 YF&R Discussion Meet and Collegiate Discussion Meet Winners Announced

YF&R Discussion Meet 
The Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet was held at the Washington Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Kennewick, Washington on November 18, 2009.  The competitors discussed the randomly selected topic "How can agricultural producers reach out to the public to gain their support on important issues impacting agriculture?”  Discussion of the topic included communication strategies such as collaborating with other industries, putting a face to agriculture, and getting the farmer story out to the public. The competitors also discussed the issues that should be spotlighted such as environmental issues, animal welfare, and food.  

The winner representing WFB at the AFBF Annual Meeting in Seattle in January 2010 is Summer Steenbarger. Summer co-farms 21 acres in southwest Washington with her parents. Together, they raise a variety of animals for meat, dairy, eggs and fiber; grow a garden for subscriptions as well as value-added products; and host various workshops on living more traditionally. Summer is an active leader within her community, collaborating and networking with farmers, and connecting people with their food in every way possible. She is involved in the Clark/Cowlitz Young Farmer and Rancher group and was just elected Vice President of the Clark/Cowlitz County Farm Bureau.

2010 Collegiate Discussion Meet
The Young Farmers and Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet was held at the Washington Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Kennewick, Washington on November 18th, 2009. The competitors representing three colleges, Washington State University, Whitworth and Walla Walla Community College, discussed the randomly selected topic, “What can be done to encourage young people to get involved in the agricultural industry and remain there?” 

The winner representing WFB at the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma in February 2010 is Sydney Rathbun. Sydney is a sophomore at Washington State University majoring in Agriculture Technology and Management. Upon graduation she hopes to return to the family farm located in Kennewick and continue to farm.

Congratulations to the winners and to all who participated in these competitions.