UAM Collegiate Farm Bureau Students Participate in State Discussion Meet (1/12/11)

Five UAM Collegiate Farm Bureau members participated in the 2010 State Farm Bureau Discussion Meet held recently during the State Farm Bureau Convention in Hot Springs.  The students representing their home counties in the competition were (first row, from left) Brittany Dees of Hermitage (Bradley County),  Amy Hughes of Hamburg (Ashley County), Brett Stewart of Pine Bluff (Jefferson County), (second row, from left) Zach Altom of Star City (Lincoln County), and Shelby Williams of Monticello (Drew County). The students discussed the growing dependence on technology by American farmers. Participation in the event was open to all Arkansas Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35. The Discussion Meet is modeled after a committee meeting format with participants discussing a current agricultural issue.  Points are given for analysis of the topic, problem solving and implementation, a cooperative attitude, and general delivery. Each participant makes individual opening and closing statements of their own composition with all participants engaging in a general discussion period.  Harry Willems, Arkansas Farm Bureau Associate Director of Organization & Member Programs, coordinated the state event and Dr. Bob Stark, UAM Collegiate Farm Bureau faculty advisor, prepped the UAM students and arranged their state convention trip.