Gracie Murphy, of Macomb, recently took first place in Illinois Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet, held Friday, Oct. 24. The competition tests participants’ ability to lead and engage in small-group discussions while exchanging ideas and information to solve agricultural challenges.
Murphy, a junior at Southern Illinois University, is a member of McDonough County Farm Bureau and SIU Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. She will represent Illinois in the national Collegiate Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer & Ranchers Leadership Conference, March 13-16 in Portland, Ore.
In addition to a $200 cash prize, Murphy will receive an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference and the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December, along with a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of GROWMARK Inc.
The IFB Collegiate Discussion Meet provides students the opportunity to demonstrate open-mindedness, teamwork and agricultural knowledge while practicing respectful discussion and problem-solving. Participants exchange facts and insights on pre-determined topics while brainstorming logical solutions to challenges in the agriculture industry.
The event consists of three parts: opening statements, open discussion and closing statements. Participants judged on problem solving and implementation, analysis of the topic, cooperative attitude and delivery.
There was a record number of participants in this year’s competition, with 24 students competing at Illinois Farm Bureau headquarters in Bloomington.
The final four participants included:
- First place: Gracie Murphy of Macomb, a McDonough County Farm Bureau and Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau member.
- Second place: Haley Bode of Waterloo, a Monroe County Farm Bureau and Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau member.
- Third place: Benjamin Bremmer, of Pearl City, a Stephenson County Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign member.
- Fourth place: Rylee Skillman of Mayo, Fla., a Will County Farm Bureau and Jolie Junior College Collegiate Farm Bureau member.
About Illinois Farm Bureau
Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.
**Story Provided by the Illinois Farm Bureau**
