Federation Hosts Statewide Collegiate Discussion Meet

By Maggie Edwards

Nine college students competed in the Alabama Farmers Federation's inaugural statewide Collegiate Discussion Meet Oct. 18 in Opelika.

The event hosted by the Federation State Young Farmers Committee was designed to simulate a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to issues facing agriculture and Alabama farmers. The competition was open to full-time undergraduate students ages 18-35 enrolled in any Alabama community college or university.

Etowah County native and Auburn University (AU) student Bryer Morrison won the competition and received a $1,000 scholarship from the Federation and Farm Bureau Bank. He will represent Alabama on the national stage during American Farm Bureau Federation's FUSION Conference in March in Denver, Colorado.

Morrison is a junior studying animal sciences with a pre-vet concentration.

Placing second and receiving a $750 scholarship was Tallapoosa County native and AU student Kayden Ray. Ray is a freshman studying agriscience education.

Third place and a $500 scholarship was awarded to Escambia County's John Braxton Rhodes. Rhodes is an AU junior studying biological and agricultural technology management.

DeKalb County's Ryan Koger placed fourth and received a $250 scholarship. Koger is an AU sophomore studying agricultural business and economics.

Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer praised the caliber of participants.

"This competition gives students real-world experiences and opportunities to network with their peers," McBrayer said. "They came prepared to discuss agricultural land, energy sources and ways to keep younger generations involved in the ag industry. We were proud to see good turnout and look forward to growing this event next year."

Learn more about Young Farmers of Alabama here.