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The risk of agriterrorism to national security was the topic of two Discussion Meet sessions held during Farm Bureau's Leadership Conference. Four of eight competitors made the cut and will compete in the finals on Nov. 30 during OFBF's annual meeting.

The finalists are Rose Dudgeon of Frazeysburg, Jason Feldner of Caldwell, Doug Hafer of LaRue and Shannon Yochum of Leesburg. They will discuss the topic "Where will tomorrow's agricultural work force come from?" at the finals. The winner will then represent Ohio in the national Discussion Meet during the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. in January. The Ohio winner will receive an expense paid trip to the AFBF meeting provided by OFBF and cash awards of $1,000 from Nationwide Insurance and $500 from Dodge.

Discussion Meet tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills. It is open to farmers ages 35 and under.

Dudgeon helps raise Suffolk sheep with her mother and is currently youth adviser for the Knox County Farm Bureau. She is a 2004 graduate of East Knox High School and served as Ohio FFA president this year. She is starting at Ohio State University this fall and plans to major in agricultural education.

Feldner farms with his grandfather, milking Jersey dairy cattle and producing forage. He is a teacher at the local career center and has a master's degree in education from Muskingum College. He is currently president of Noble County Farm Bureau.

Hafer has served as president of Marion County Farm Bureau. He farms with his father and uncle, and their 1,600-acre operation consists of corn, beans, wheat and sows. He is a 1988 graduate of Elgin High School and received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Ohio State University. He and his wife, Shelly, have three children.

Yochum serves as Highland County Farm Bureau's government affairs chair and a trustee. She is a financial associate for a local Nationwide office and was a former Miss Rodeo Ohio. Yochum shows crossbred cattle and quarterhorses. She is a 1997 graduate of Colerain High School and graduated from Wilmington College in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture and science.

Cutline: The Discussion Meet finalists are Doug Hafer (left), Rose Dudgeon, Robin Yochum and Jason Feldner.