Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: Oct. 16, 2006

 

UW, SC and Northwest College students win ag competition

            Students from the University of Wyoming, Sheridan College and Northwest College in Powell were the top finishers at an agriculture competition this month at UW.

UW College of Agriculture student Stacia Berry earned $300 cash and a trip to Florida after winning the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s (WyFB) Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion meet.

Berry, of Cheyenne, is an animal and veterinary science major with options in business and communications. She also received a $50 gift certificate from the College of Agriculture’s Office of Academic and Student Programs. 

UW student Holly Kennedy, of Laramie, was named runner-up and was awarded a $150 cash prize. Kennedy is a freshman majoring in agricultural communications.

Sheridan College student Donovan Buckman, of Worland, finished third, and Northwest College student Kelsi Gambill, of Forsyth, Mont., finished fourth. They each received a $25 beef gift certificate.

The Oct. 10 event in the College of Agriculture attracted six college students from around Wyoming. It is open to all agriculture students attending UW or one of the community colleges in the state.

            The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. 

            “Contestants are given pre-determined topics, and they are judged on their knowledge, speaking ability, and ability to participate in a committee meeting, listen to others and air all points of view,” said Kerin Clark, WyFB media director. “The participants competed in two rounds where they discussed the national animal identification system and how to increase opportunities for new uses of traditional agriculture products.”

Berry will now represent the WyFB in the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet in February in Jacksonville, Fla. “The national trip is made possible thanks in part to sponsorship from the First Interstate Bank-UW Student Union Branch,” Clark said.

Berry has served as the Wyoming FFA state president and a national FFA officer. She is an agriculture senator for the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming.

 “The competition was very good at the third annual YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet,” said Darla Rhodes, competitive events chair for the YF&R. “The competition is a great educational opportunity for these college students, and we are looking forward to Stacia representing us in the national collegiate competition.”

The YF&R program provides leadership, networking, educational and competitive event opportunities to Wyoming agriculturalists between the ages of 18-35.  To learn more, visit www.wyfb.org.

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