Ag News

Georgia's Torrie Reed makes finals in AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet

Torrie Reed, a student at the University of North Georgia, finished in the top four at the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Collegiate Discussion Meet, held during the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon, March 13-16.

Reed, an education major at UNG, advanced through the first three rounds of the event and faced off with Sara Bair of Utah, Courtney Taibi of New York and Brooke Beamesderfer of Pennsylvania in the final four round.

Reed, a Gilmer County Farm Bureau member, was the top collegiate finisher in the Georgia Farm Bureau YF&R Discussion Meet in July 2025, earning state honors for the second straight year.

Bair earned the national title following a dynamic discussion on how communities can grow responsibly while protecting farms, ranches and the agricultural way of life.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to replicate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each collegiate participant. Participants are judged on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an agricultural topic and work toward practical answers or solutions. The event helps young Farm Bureau members develop leadership skills and prepare for future roles in agriculture and their communities.

Thirty-six competitors from across the country participated in this year’s Collegiate Discussion Meet.

CHS Foundation provided a total of $18,000 in scholarships for the competition. National winner Bair received $3,100, the three other finalists each received $2,100, and all competitors were awarded scholarships recognizing their achievement in reaching the national level, with additional funding for those advancing to the Sweet 16 round.

AFBF’s YF&R program engages young Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18-35 by offering opportunities to develop as strong, effective leaders for service in both Farm Bureau and their communities.

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