GFB News Magazine

Reed makes AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet finals

by GFB Staff

Posted on May 21, 2026 8:15 AM

Torrie Reed, a Gilmer County Farm Bureau member, 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, a University of North Georgia student, advanced through the first three rounds of the event to face off against Sara Bair of Utah, Courtney Taibi of New York and Brooke Beamesderfer of Pennsylvania in the last round.

An education major, Reed was the top collegiate finisher in the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau YF&R Discussion Meet, earning state honors for the second consecutive 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 active discussion are expected from each collegiate participant. Participants are judged on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an ag 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 the event.

The CHS Foundation provided $18,000 in scholarships for the competition. National winner Bair received $3,100. Reed and the two other finalists each received $2,100. All competitors received scholarships recognizing their achievement in reaching the national level, with additional funding for those advancing to the Sweet 16 round.

Farm Bureau’s YF&R program offers agriculturalists, ages 18 to 35, a variety of programs to develop as effective leaders.

A woman receiving a plaque from a man.

AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Vice Chairman Cleve Jackson presents Torrie Reed, of Gilmer County, with a plaque for being a finalist in the 2026 AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. Jackson is a Floyd County Farm Bureau member. /Photo courtesy of AFBF

Ray wins GA FFA Discussion Meet

Four students seated at tables during discussion meet.

Georgia Farm Bureau was proud to again sponsor the FFA Discussion Meet held April 22 at the 98th Annual Georgia FFA Convention. Congratulations to the final four competitors, from left: Lily Headrick, Rome High School; FFA Discussion Meet state winner Kevin Ray, Bainbridge High School; Jabe Andrews, Banks County High School; and Boss Malcom, Mary Persons High School. As the state winner, Ray received a $250 savings bond. Each finalist received a $100 savings bond. /Photo by Levi Davis

Students assemble pre-packaged meals.

During the conference, Georgia FFA members packed more than 100,000 meals for Meals of Hope, which GFB sponsored. /Photo courtesy of Georgia FFA