INDIANAPOLIS — Rachel Hyde of Hamilton County is the winner of the 2022 Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Discussion Meet. The competition, which was held Dec. 15-16 in Indianapolis as part of the INFB annual state convention, is one of the three major awards presented to Farm Bureau members aged 35 and younger. During the competition, contestants participated in a group discussion that simulates a committee meeting.
Hyde and the other finalists discussed common dilemmas and potential problems facing farmers in America, such as:
- How can Farm Bureau effectively support and equip young farmers and ag professionals to successfully manage economic and infrastructure challenges to ensure healthy and sustainable farms across the country?
- How can Farm Bureau become more accessible and welcoming to members who are working off-farm jobs in related fields and juggling responsibilities both on and off the farm?
- How can Farm Bureau improve access to, and help farmers deploy, emerging technologies on operations, such as advancements in autonomous equipment and drone technology?
- How can Farm Bureau reduce the impact of external influences causing supply chain disruptions through policy development and programming?
This year’s INFB Discussion Meet consisted of four rounds of competition, including “Sweet Sixteen” and “Final Four” rounds. During the “Final Four” round, the contestants competed, discussing the role farmers and ag professionals play in shaping climate initiatives to benefit society overall as well as on their own farms. This year’s winner was announced at convention on Dec. 16.
Hyde now advances to the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet, which will be held during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hyde holds a degree in agricultural communication with a minor in agronomy from Purdue University. She works at Beck’s Hybrids as a field sales marketing coordinator where she serves as a liaison between the field sales team and the marketing department. Her goal is to encourage, equip and educate the field sales team and dealers about marketing tools and tactics.
Hyde is a member of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau board, a member of the local FFA Boosters leadership team, and an avid 4-H volunteer on the county level, while also judging sheep and goat shows across Indiana and neighboring states.
As the winner of the INFB Discussion Meet, Hyde receives a $4,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and expenses paid to the national convention in San Juan. The three runners-up were Corina Brant of Tippecanoe County, Veronica Bullock of Decatur County and Seth Harden of Marion County. The runners-up each receive a $1,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.
— Indiana Farm Bureau
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