Ferrum College Student Jeb Early Heads to National Farm Bureau Collegiate Young Farmer Competition

2/7/2013

Early’s state discussion meet win in November 2012 earned him an all expenses paid trip to compete in Phoenix, AZ. 

Ferrum, Va. (Feb. 7, 2013) – First thing this morning Ferrum College junior Jeb Early, of Bealeton, Va., boarded a plane to head to Phoenix, AZ where he will represent Virginia at the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers National Convention, held Feb. 8 – 12, 2013, and compete in the National Discussion Meet on Sat., Feb. 10. Early will also attend seminars, participate in tours, and meet other agriculturalists and collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers from across the country.

Early earned the all expenses paid trip to the National Convention after being one of two winners of the Young Farmers State Discussion Meet held Nov. 9, 2012, at Virginia Tech. Four Ferrum College Agriculture Club members competed at the fall meet and Early was joined at the event by freshmen Jem Tatum, Alex Shepley, and Scott Henshaw. The Ferrum students competed against others from Virginia State University, Southern Virginia Community College and Virginia Tech. Early and Tatum both made it to the last round, the Final Four, with Early chosen as one of the two State winners. 

Early grew up around his family's beef farm in Fauquier County raising Angus and Hereford cows. He also worked on a local dairy farm while in middle and high school to diversify his agriculture background.  As an Agriculture major, Early was pleased that Ferrum College had a good turn out at the November competition.

“It shows that Ferrum College has a strong Agriculture program, and our relationship with Farm Bureau and the agriculture community is growing," said Early. Of his trip to the National Convention and Sunday’s National Discussion Meet competition, he said, "I hope to make Virginia and Ferrum College proud." 

A discussion meet is a judged conversation on agricultural topics. Contestants know the questions beforehand and research and practice ahead of a competition.

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