Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers named the winners of four discussion meet competitive events on Friday, Nov. 8, during the organization’s 83rd annual meeting in Oklahoma City.
Austin Jackson of Payne County was named the 2024 winner of the YF&R Discussion Meet, which was held Friday, Nov. 8; Ashlee Purvine of Northern Oklahoma College was named the 2024 Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet winner, which was held Thursday, Nov. 7; and Heath Laubauch of Woodward FFA was named the High School Discussion Meet winner, which was held before the OKFB annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in El Reno.
YF&R competitors faced fellow participants in a panel-style discussion where each competitor’s performance was evaluated on the exchange of ideas and information on predetermined topics. Participants were judged on their ability to offer constructive input, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.
As the YF&R Discussion Meet winner, Jackson received a John Deere lawnmower, sponsored by P&K Equipment. Jackson also won a trip to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, where he will compete in the national discussion meet contest.
The collegiate winner received a cash prize and an expense-paid trip to represent Oklahoma at the 2025 AFBF FUSION Conference in Denver, Colorado, and the high school winner received a cash prize.
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest gathering of farmers and ranchers every year. At the event, members vote on grassroots policy, elect leaders and award outstanding individuals. OKFB has a presence in all 77 Oklahoma counties and serves as the voice of agriculture and the rural way of life. To learn more, visit okfarmbureau.org.
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OKFB YF&R Discussion Meet: (jpeg link): Payne County Farm Bureau member Austin Jackson (center) receives the 2024 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Award from OKFB YF&R Committee Chairs Chastity and Jacob Beck (left), sponsor representative Scott Eisenhower with P&K Equipment (second from right) and OKFB President Rodd Moesel (right) during the 2024 OKFB Annual Meeting Friday, Nov. 8 in Oklahoma City.
OKFB Collegiate Discussion Meet: (jpeg link): Collegiate Discussion Meet Winner Ashlee Purvine (right) accepts the 2024 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet award from Kristi Sproul with Public Service Oklahoma, which sponsored the event.
OKFB YF&R Discussion Meet: (jpeg link): Woodward FFA member Heath Laubauch receives the 2024 Oklahoma Farm Bureau High School Discussion Meet award from OKFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chairs Chastity and Jacob Beck (left) and OKFB President Rodd Moesel (right) during the 2024 OKFB Annual Meeting Friday, Nov. 8 in Oklahoma City.
