WACO, Texas — Chase Brooke of Collin County won the 2022 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet during the organization’s 89th annual meeting.
Brooke is the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Collin County with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. In this position, he provides education and research-based information to local farmers, ranchers and landowners to help them find solutions to the challenges they face.
“Through the Discussion Meet, young Farm Bureau members talk about some of the current challenges facing agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “They are able to talk through possible solutions or develop goals for improvement. Their ideas and thoughts are important as agriculture continues to change and adapt.”
He’s involved in the community by serving on local boards and organizations, including the Collin County Farm Bureau board of directors. He coordinates Young Farmer & Rancher activities in the county and led the efforts for a county scholarship recognition event. Brooke attends several TFB events throughout the year, including Young Farmer & Rancher activities.
The Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant.
The contestants discussed climate, supply chain issues and more during the competition.
During the discussion meet, the contestants build basic discussion skills, develop a deeper understanding of agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems through discussion.
Brooke will receive an ATV, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit Bank of Texas.
Also in the final four were Kelsey Chopelas of San Patricio County, Zac Goodwin of Johnson County and Sophia Kelley of Parker County.
The three finalists will receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank, and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.
Brooke will represent Texas in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in January 2023.
The winner of the national Excellence in Agriculture award will receive a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford vehicle and paid registration to the Farm Bureau YF&R Fusion Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, courtesy of Ford Motor Company.
The national runner-up will receive a $25,000 credit toward a new piece of equipment from Case IH, courtesy of Case IH.
Third place in the national competition will receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of AmericanAg; a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH; and $1,665 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.
The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH branded Solo stove, courtesy of Case IH.
For more information on young farmer and rancher activities for members ages 18 to 35, visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
–Texas Farm Bureau
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