ANAHEIM, CA — Cady Brown, a Southwest Counties Farm Bureau member and senior at the University of Montana Western, recently represented Montana on the national stage at the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention. Competing in the Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet, Brown successfully navigated two preliminary rounds to secure a spot in the prestigious “Sweet Sixteen.”
Unlike a traditional debate, the AFBF Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas, build consensus, and actively participate in solving industry challenges. This year’s topics spanned critical issues, including urban sprawl and land use, succession planning for family farms, digital engagement, environmental stewardship and strengthening industry relations.
Brown emphasized that while the national level requires a sharper competitive edge, the value lies in the diverse perspectives shared…