GFB News Magazine

Huff & Williams win FFA contests GFB sponsored

by GFB Staff

Posted on May 17, 2025 6:21 AM

Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) congratulates Molly Huff of Winder-Barrow for winning the Georgia FFA Discussion Meet and Isabelle Williams of Madison County for winning the Extemporaneous Public Speaking competition! GFB sponsored both Leadership Development Events (LDE) held during the 97th Georgia FFA State Convention, April 24-26 at the Macon Centreplex.

Discussion Meet finalists were Lily Hendrick of Rome, Anna Grace Hunter of Colquitt County and Tessa Dial of Ware County. As the state winner, Huff received a $250 savings bond. Each finalist received a $100 savings bond. 

In the last discussion round, the four finalists addressed how Farm Bureau can provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture.

In the Extemporaneous Speaking competition, Clay Lawrence of Emanuel County Institute placed second, Ryan Kelly of Crisp County finished third, and CarolAnn Cash of Chattooga County finished fourth.

For her speech, “How can science help agriculture meet the challenges of climate change,” Williams received $100 and $500 to travel to the National Convention where she will represent Georgia. Lawrence received $50, Kelly received $25, and Cash received $20. William’s FFA advisor received $100 for coaching the winning student.

FFA Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in a variety of competitions.

The Discussion Meet LDE is designed to teach the three fundamental bases of discussion: constructive criticism, cooperation and communication. The role of the contestants is to exchange ideas and information to solve a problem. The Discussion Meet is patterned after the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Students discuss topics to foster constructive ideas and problem solve.

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE aims to provide the opportunity to enhance the speaking skills of participants. Participants present a speech they prepare in an allotted amount of time to a panel of judges. When the presentation is complete, participants respond to questions from the judges and are scored to determine a winner.

The convention wrapped up on April 26 with the election of the 2025-2026 Georgia FFA Officer Team. The new team consists of State President Remiya Stephens from Rutland, Secretary Levi Leyton from Central of Carroll, North Region Vice-Presidents Leyton Morris from Morgan County and Quinn Pendley from Clarke Central, Central Region Vice-Presidents Aly Corzine from Veterans and Evan Hardeman from Montgomery County, and South Region Vice-Presidents Anna Grace Hunter from Colquitt County and Jose Gomez from Ware County.

For information about all the award winners recognized during the convention, visit https://gfb.ag/25GAFFAwinners.