FERRUM, Virginia, December 12, 2024 – Ferrum College sophomore Austin Brigman, was the first runner up in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 17th Annual Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet, held Nov. 15 at Virginia Tech.
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.
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. He 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 also competed in last year’s Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet. “It’s a great experience overall,” he said. “It helps me improve my public speaking skills and get involved in agriculture more.”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to network with other Young Farmers from local colleges and universities as well as the Farm Bureau representatives,” said Assistant Professor of Biology and Agricultural Science Dr. Clay Britton. “Austin’s success as runner-up during the discussion roundtable showcases Ferrum College’s efforts to train our students to think critically about challenges and opportunities that face our young farmers in the state and throughout the country.”
Brigman earned an opportunity to participate in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet, to be held in March in Denver, Colorado.
