When Colorado Northwestern Community College offered the Range Management course during Fall 2022, taught by Reece Melton (M.S. Range Management), little did we know that he would transform the student experience for our students pursuing agriculture degrees.
Mr. Melton is not only passionate about agriculture, but also extremely active in the Colorado Farm Bureau organization. While teaching his range class, he identified a need for our CNCC students – a student club relating to the issues and challenges of agricultural producers in Northwestern Colorado; and approached Career and Technical Education Dean Meghan Davis, about starting and advising a collegiate chapter of Farm Bureau. “One thing CNCC is great at, is helping our students go after and achieve their goals”, said Dean Davis, who quickly helped get the group approved by CNCC’s Student Government Association for their upcoming discussion meet.
CNCC’s Collegiate Farm Bureau team (L to R): Katelyn Dudley, Emily Amick, Reece Melton (advisor), and Tauren Farquharson
The Collegiate Farm Bureau is a fantastic way for students to engage in the local community, campus, state, and agricultural industry. It provides excellent networking opportunities to expand their own ag business, pursue career opportunities, and be educated on the current policies facing Colorado agriculture (good or bad). Unfortunately, as Colorado changes, many of these proposed policies tend to implicate Colorado agriculture negatively. It is essential young leaders engage at the grassroots level to professionally advocate for farming, ranching and our beautiful natural resources. CNCC is proud to now be a Collegiate Farm Bureau (CFB) campus for the organization.
In November, three CNCC students (Tauren Farquharson, Emily Amick, and Katelyn Dudley) competed in the annual Colorado Collegiate Farm Bureau discussion meet. The CFB discussion meet is meant to mirror a county farm bureau meeting. Competitors are provided a specific topic or issue to be discussed revolving around current agricultural issues that those in the industry might face. Competitors are scored based on their ability to deliver an opening and closing statement, ability to facilitate discussion among their peers, and ability to propose an adequate solution or plan of action to tackle the provided issue. Unlike a traditional debate, competitors are scored on their ability to direct the conversation while still engaging others on the panel in a polite and congenial way.
Katelyn Dudley, placed 2nd in the CFB meet.
CNCC’s inaugural discussion meet competitors smashed the competition. Round 1 & 2 topics for the three competitors included: advancements in autonomous equipment and drone technology; and agricultural supply chain influences. Tauren and Katelyn were advanced to the final round, or top four Colorado CFB participants – meaning CNCC represented 50% of the final discussion competitors. After the final four identified issues/challenges and potential plans of actions and solutions for influencing many farmers/ranchers to stay engaged in agriculture while juggling on and off farm responsibilities, the results came in… CNCC’s Katelyn Dudley placed 2nd and Tauren Farquharson placed 3rd. This is an impressive start to this new student organization. The state winner is eligible to attend the National Young Farmers & Ranchers conference and compete with other first-place individuals across the nation.
3rd place winner, Tauren Farquharson talks to the panel during the discussion.
“It is my hope we can grow our organization’s [Colorado Farm Bureau] membership” said Mr. Melton, CNCC’s CFB Advisor, and “continue to be active and competitive at the State level through discussion meet, build relationships with our local county Farm Bureaus, provide professional development and leadership training for Collegiate members, and serve the Northwest corner in some facet.”
This organization is an advocate for agriculture – and in todays local and national political climate, it is imperative that organizations like CFB help bridge the gap between agriculture producers and the public. Agriculture is a way of life that many are proud to represent and continue but is slowly dying with policies and legislature made by people who are not involved at the grass-roots level. Making connections to community, providing opportunities to educate, and provide an understanding is critical for the future of agriculture. CNCC’s collegiate Farm Bureau group is excited for this challenge and is looking forward to getting involved. It’s safe to say, with this group of women who participated at the state discussion meet – Northwestern Colorado agriculture is in good hands, and the future looks bright with groups like these. Congratulations to Tauren Farquharson, Emily Amick, and Katelyn Dudley!
To learn more about Colorado Northwestern’s Agriculture program or to register for classes visit www.cncc.edu/ag.
