Lodi farmer wins Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

» December 7, 2010 «

After a lively discussion about the importance of maintaining a U.S.-grown food supply, a farmer from Lodi was announced as the winner of the California Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Open Discussion Meet.

Tyler Blagg, who raises dairy replacement heifers and works for a company that produces animal identification products, was among 19 individuals from throughout the state to compete in the contest, which occurred during the 92nd CFBF Annual Meeting in Monterey. The Discussion Meet is a contest designed to elicit constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while discussing agricultural issues.

Points discussed during the competition centered on ways farmers can communicate with consumers and educate them about the small percentage of growers who are responsible for producing much of the nation's food supply. During the discussion with three other finalists, Blagg outlined ways to connect consumers to the farmers and ranchers who produce their food.

"We need to work on educating and we have to communicate our issues and the importance of food to our national security," he said.

As the winner of the state competition, Blagg earned a new Ram pickup, $4,000 from CFBF sponsors Bank of America, Cathie and Dick Bradley, the California Association of Pest Control Advisers, Farm Credit West, CoBank, American AgCredit, Ram Trucks and State Compensation Insurance Fund. As the winner, he will represent California in the national Discussion Meet competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Ga., next month.

First runner-up in the Discussion Meet was Diane Coderniz of Dos Palos, who attends McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Second runner-up was Holly Foster of Oroville, a feed producer who raises cattle in Butte and Plumas counties. Third runner-up was Siskiyou County hay and grain farmer Brandon Fawaz.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet winner was Keiko Osumi of Arroyo Grande, who attends Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Osumi earned a $500 cash award.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of 81,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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