Sheridan College student wins WyFB Collegiate Discussion Meet

Sheridan College Student Becka Nutting discussed agriculture issues at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Collegiate Discussion Meet and earned a $1,000 cash scholarship and an expense-paid trip to the national competition in Omaha, Neb.  

Students representing Sheridan College, Central Wyoming College and Eastern Wyoming College competed Feb. 1 in Laramie. 

The competition is designed to simulate the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) policy development process in a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected. The competition provided a challenge to discuss real time agriculture issues of concern and determine a potential solution. 

Wyoming representatives

Nutting described the competition as unforgettable. 

“Not only did I gain a large amount of knowledge, but it also broadened my insights in what happens in different parts of our state,” she said. “Not one producer will do something exactly like a neighbor, yet bringing forth new ideas will always be beneficial.” 

According to Nutting, the knowledge gained from conversations with her peers was eye-opening. 

“I learned how agriculture resources should be managed, how we can sustain agriculture over the coming years and everything in between,” Nutting said. “I think the biggest takeaway from the competition was the need to be willing to help those around us to make all of us more successful.”

As a dual major at Sheridan College, Nutting feels the competition is  great preparation for her educational endeavors. 

“Being able to be a part of competitions like this makes me confident in the path I am taking at college,” she said. “I believe we all learn from our peers so having this knowledge to prepare me for the next two years and beyond is extremely rewarding.”

Brand Terrell, a fellow Sheridan College student, was named the runner-up and was awarded a $150 cash prize.  Hailing from Gillette, Terrell is majoring in agriculture business.

Rounding out the final four finalists were Cooper Larkin of Sheridan College and Cannon Cook of Eastern Wyoming College. Larkin is from Torrington and is studying ag business, and Cook, from Greybull, is studying precision agriculture.

Nutting will represent the WyFB in the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet March 8-11 in Omaha, Neb., and she is looking forward to the national competition. 

“I am extremely excited to meet all kinds of new people from across the U.S., to learn their insights on agriculture from different regions and how it can help me make the greatest impact on agriculture in the future,” she concluded.

Contest details 

Contestants are given pre-determined topics and judged on their knowledge, speaking ability, ability to participate in a committee meeting and listen to others air all points of view. 

All contestants competed in two rounds of competition. The top four advanced to the Final Four round. 

Sheridan College Agriculture Business Instructor Angel Sparkman says the competition is a great co curricular event which complements an all-around educational experience. 

“The opportunity to put into practice all of the knowledge they are gaining in the classroom into a direct application in the ag world is invaluable,” Sparkman said.

“The meet and preparation helps student fulfill our three core abilities at Sheridan College – critical thinking, acquiring and applying knowledge and communicating effectively.  This discussion meet is the trifecta for accomplishing these objectives,” she continued. “As an educator, I measure how well I do my job on how prepared my students are in their next step –  rancher, farmer, college student, citizen, employee.”

“Having an opportunity to participate in this meet is a great simulation of life and an opportunity for all of us to have great discussion on the topics affecting our agricultural world today and tomorrow,” Sparkman concluded.

WyFB is the Cowboy State’s largest organization of farmers and ranchers dedicated to supporting agriculture and private property rights and committed to protecting Wyoming farms and ranches. For more information, visit wyfb.org.