Jana Lee, a junior at Virginia Tech, earned first place in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 17th Annual Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet, held Nov. 15 at Virginia Tech.

First runner-up was Austin Brigman, a sophomore at Ferrum College. Other finalists were Anne Katherine Martz, a freshman at Virginia Tech, and Will Henley, a sophomore at Virginia Highlands Community College.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet competition simulates a roundtable committee meeting in which discussion, cooperation and active participation are expected from each contestant. Competitors are judged on their discussion skills, understanding of important agricultural issues and ability to build consensus.

In this year’s competition, seven Virginia-based college students discussed four pre-determined topics—diversifying farm portfolios; competing for agricultural land; engaging diverse agricultural communities; and how Farm Bureau can help increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights.

In the final round, the four finalists shared ideas on how county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members, along with ways young board members can help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future.

Lee emphasized the importance of engaging youth in agriculture.

“I find it hard to believe that we can continue to grow the agriculture industry if we don’t first pour into the youth, because they truly are the future,” she said.

Brigman explored ways to enhance the farm’s profitability so that prospective successors “would be less likely to see the farm as a money pit and want to sell it,” he explained.

Lee also highlighted various U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency programs that benefit veteran, young and disadvantaged farmers.

She is majoring in crop and soil science and plans to return to Southwest Virginia to pursue a career in agriculture.

Lee grew up on a small farm in Washington County, and her lifelong passion for agriculture blossomed after she joined FFA in seventh grade.

“I realized that agriculture was what I was truly interested in and passionate about, and it was something that I found I could hopefully make a difference in,” she recalled.

Lee competed in various FFA public speaking events and VFBF Youth Discussion Meets in high school. She enjoyed the opportunity to refine her public speaking skills in this year’s Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet.

“But I think what was more meaningful was just hearing from other passionate, young farmers who brought such great ideas to the table on how we can combat these issues in the industry,” she remarked.

Runner-up Brigman is majoring in secondary education agriculture, with future career goals to teach high school agriculture and coach tennis. He grew up in Lexington, North Carolina, and fostered a passion for agriculture in his high school agriculture classes and FFA.

Brigman competed in last year’s Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet.

“It’s a great experience overall,” he said. “It helps me work on my public speaking skills and get involved in agriculture more.”

The state winner is awarded a $500 prize courtesy of Southern Farm Life Insurance Co. and VFBF Young Farmers. Lee also can receive up to $2,000 in scholarships, and she and Brigman earned a travel package to the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet, to be held in March in Denver, Colorado. All competitors earned cash prizes from VFBF.

Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers comprise a wide range of individuals ages 18 to 35 who are interested in agriculture and want to support the state’s largest industry. The Young Farmers Program offers networking, leadership and professional development opportunities.

Contact Kelly Roberts, VFBF vice president of special programs, at 804-837-6194.

Group photo: (L to R) Will Henley, finalist; Austin Brigman, runner-up; Jana Lee, winner; Anne Katherine Martz, finalist.