Ag Communications Student Wins National Debate Competition

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly Student Olivia Gonzales took first place and a $2,500 scholarship in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2010 Collegiate Discussion Meet.

Gonzales represented Cal Poly and competed against 37 other college students and recent graduates at the AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in in February in Tulsa, Okla.

Gonzales is studying ag communications in addition to running her family’s dry-farmed walnut business in Paso Robles. The Gonzales family also raises cattle and owns a wine-tasting room.

In the final round of the national competition in Tulsa, Gonzales won a $2,500 scholarship from the CHS Foundation. The topic of the final discussion was, “How can we continue to bridge the gap between farmers/ranchers and lawmakers in order to have an influence in the changing political environment?”

“It is important for Farm Bureau members to be able to have in-depth discussions about the wide variety of issues facing agriculture today. It’s encouraging to see people at the collegiate level successfully analyzing and developing thoughtful solutions to these issues,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Seeing these individuals compete makes me optimistic that American agriculture has a very bright future.”