Eberhart wins 2022 Collegiate Discussion Meet

Riley Eberhart of Harrison County will represent Ohio at the 2022 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet follows the same model as the Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet. The competitive event simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a predetermined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.

Eberhart, a six-year Harrison County Farm Bureau member, is currently a student at Wilmington College where she studies political science, focusing on agricultural advocacy and food policy. Prior to college, Eberhart spent 15 years as a member of 4-H, raising beef, hogs, chickens and rabbits and was involved in FFA, participating in many career development events (CDEs).

The Collegiate Farm Bureau program at Wilmington provides an opportunity to have a direct link to agriculture while in school, and Eberhart took part in the Discussion Meet to learn how to format debates and encourage innovative ideas that have the potential to help her community.

As the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet, Eberhart receives an expense-paid trip to YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as an expense-paid trip to the 2023 Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, and a $1,000 scholarship, all courtesy of Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Every national competitor will receive a $100 scholarship. Those advancing to the Sweet 16 round will receive an additional $300 scholarship. The winner of the competition will receive an additional $3,000 scholarship, and the other Final Four competitors will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio Farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Editors: Editors: A photo of Ms. Eberhart is available for download.

Growing our Generation

Having opportunities to attend leadership institutes, advocate for rural Ohioans on the state and national level, facilitate young ag professionals events, and serve in a variety of leadership positions have helped my skills grow exponentially.

Sara Tallmadge

Ashland County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation

Business Solutions

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.

Mandy Way

Way Farms

Business Solutions

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.

Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

Farming for Good

I was gifted the great opportunity through an Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Youth Pathways grant to run a series of summer camps here. That really expanded my vision of what ‘grow, maintain, sustain and explain’ could actually be.

Jim Bruner

Mezzacello Urban Farms

Farming for Good

Leadership development

I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.

Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development

Advocacy

So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.

Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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