Ag News

Central-Carroll, ABAC claim Advocacy in Action titles

Central of Carroll County and ABAC won top honors in the 2025 Advocacy in Action competition, the finals of which were held Oct. 15 at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie.

The Advocacy in Action competition consists of high school and college divisions with students from around the Southeast. The event is a platform for students to showcase their knowledge, advocacy skills, and innovative ideas that can revolutionize the agricultural industry. Winners receive cash prizes.

In the final round, the top three teams in each division – high school and college – made policy pitches to each of three judges. The judges were state Rep. Jaclyn Ford, former state Rep. Clay Pirkle and Georgia Forestry Administration Vice President for Government Affairs Jake Matthews.

The subject prompt for the final round centered on legislative and industry solutions to challenges for the forestry industry, including shrinking demand, global competition and compliance with government regulations.

“I think they are learning to be comfortable with asking for help and arguing their cause,” Ford said.

Central, coached by Leanna Brown of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, took top honors in the high school division for the second straight year. Students Frankie Kelly, Kali Merrill and Sophie Drummond made up Central’s team.

Second place went to the Florida 4-H Youth Development Team of Timmy Hawes, Summer Wayne and Tommy Haws. They were coached by Meredith Stinson, a government relations representative with Georgia EMC.

The Bronson (Fla.) High School team of Kevin Arrangeli, Carson Meeks and Tegan Barber finished third. Hunter Loggins, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, coached the team.

The ABAC team of Lydia Hill, Carlye Green and Cassidy Barnett won the college division. ABAC was coached by Jaci Martin, a policy advisor with the office of Gov. Brian Kemp.

The Auburn University team of Caleb Mills, J.B. Rhodes and Audrey Garrett finished second, while the University of Georgia team of Ela Grace Ash, Amiyah Elam and Georgie Simmons took third. Auburn was coached by GFB National Affairs Coordinator Ben Parker. UGA was coached by Georgia Agribusiness Council Director of Public Affairs Jake Tench.

The first-place team in each division received a $1,000 prize and an invitation to the 2026 GFB Day at the Capitol. Each second-place team received $800 cash and each third-place team received $600. Overall, the contest drew 34 entries – 27 high schools and seven colleges. For the initial round of competition, each team submitted a video detailing farmers’ efforts to protect natural resources.

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