Louisville, KY (December 6, 2014) – Cameron Edwards of Webster County, won first place in the final round of Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Discussion Meet, a debate-styled competition for young farmers that relies on an individual’s skill in reasoning and logical discussion of issues. The event was one of the highlighted activities of last night’s general session during KFB’s annual meeting in Louisville.

Edwards bested nine other entrants in the event, winning a Kawasaki MULE donated by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Jacobi Sales. He also won a trip to the national finals in San Diego, CA, as part of the 96th American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention, January 11-14, 2015. Winners of the national contest will have their choice of either a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2015 GMC Sierra, courtesy of General Motors, and a paid registration to the 2015 AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN, February 13-16, 2015. Three national runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A, courtesy of Case IH, a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

Runner-up in the state Discussion Meet was Mary Courtney of Shelby County, who received $1,000 cash from KFB.

The two other finalists in the state-level contest were Mike Meyer of Harrison County, and Casey Story of Fleming County. They each received $200 cash awards from KFB.

KFB’s Discussion Meet tests entrants on their basic knowledge of critical farm issues and their ability to respond in a panel setting to differing points of view. The topic debated by the four finalists was: “How can Young Farmers & Ranchers work to encourage membership growth and member engagement for the county, state and national Farm Bureau organizations?”