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Sollman named AFBF Discussion Meet Finalist

A Michigan young farmer advanced to the final round of American Farm Bureau Federation’s national Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet.

Amanda Sollmon of Saginaw County Farm Bureau works for Mark Jewell Speaking and Training helping agribusiness professionals develop sales and leadership skills. She tells Brownfield the discussion meet is set up similar to a committee meeting where participants need to find solutions for challenges facing the agricultural industry.  “As we look at the world today, I don’t think there could be a greater skill to be learning than how to partner with others, especially people who may or may not have the same view points as you, and try to work towards a solution that works for all of us.”

After winning the Michigan Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in December, Sollman advanced through two preliminary rounds during the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting and a semi-final before making it to the final competition where she was narrowly beat by Matt Niswander of Tennessee. Other national finalists included Skye Gess of Georgia and Jessica Jones of Virginia.

AUDIO: Brownfield’s Ken Anderson interviews Amanda Sollman