Final Four Round competitors pictured from left to right: Benjamin Bremmer, University of Illinois, Gracie Murphy, Southern Illinois University, Adam Loker, Southern Illinois University, Derek Sample, Southern Illinois University.
Adam Loker, of Wayne City, took first place in Illinois Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet, held on Friday, November 1st
Loker, a Junior at Southern Illinois University, is a member of the Wayne County Farm Bureau and Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. He will go on to represent Illinois in the national Collegiate Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Conference March 7th-10th in Denver, Colorado.
In addition to a $200 cash prize, Loker will receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Conference and the IAA Annual Meeting in December, and a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc.
The IFB Collegiate Discussion Meet judges contestants’ ability to manage small group discussions. It is an opportunity for students to exhibit open-mindedness and knowledge while retaining a flexible position. Participants exchange facts and insights on a pre-determined topic while practicing teamwork and brainstorming logical solutions for difficult problems in the agriculture industry.
The event consists of three parts: opening statements, open discussion and closing statements. Participants are scored by judges based on their problem solving and implementation, analysis of the topic, cooperative attitude and delivery.
In total, 20 students competed in the meet at IFB’s home office in Bloomington. The other three participants included:
- Second place: Derek Sample, Southern Illinois University, Franklin County
- Third place: Gracie Murphy, Southern Illinois University, McDonough County
- Fourth place: Benjamin Bremmer, University of Illinois, Stephenson County
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