January 29, 2018

Leadbetter wins Discussion Meet

Topic: Events

Jon Leadbetter, Wishek, won the 2018 Discussion Meet, held during the NDFB Farm and Ranch Conference, Jan. 26-28, at the Holiday Inn, Minot.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which the participants are expected to actively discuss a predetermined topic. The competition is evaluated based on the exchange of ideas on that topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a better understand of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. The contest is open to young people between the ages of 18-35.

Leadbetter progressed through two preliminary rounds to get to the final four competition, which was held Saturday evening at the conference. The topic for the final round was, "How can Farm Bureau help members with increasing legal and regulatory obstacles so they can focus on farming and ranching?"

Leadbetter and his wife, Mandi, live in Wishek. Leadbetter is a loan officer at Security State Bank in Wishek and has a small herd of registered Simmental cattle. As the winner of the meet, he received a four-wheeler and will go on to compete in the national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th annual convention in New Orleans, La.

Other finalists were Jenna Aasmundstad of Devils Lake, Paul Subart of Robinson and Carlie Bowditch of Dickinson.

Each of the runners-up received Yeti coolers.