OTC students attend Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference

Zoeller competes in Georgia Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

Michael Zoller (standing) of Effingham County gives his opening statement during the second round of the Georgia Farm Bureau Discussion Meet held July 24 at the Lake Blackshear Resort. Other discussion meet participants competing in this round were: (pictured from left, Molly Childs of Cherokee County, Andrew Ruark of Morgan County, Ryan Harrell of Clay County and Christy Bryan of Chattooga County. GFB Young Farmer 10th District Committee Chair Cory Tyre (center, left) moderated the discussion.

Michael Zoller (standing) of Effingham County gives his opening statement during the first round of the Georgia Farm Bureau Discussion Meet held July 24 at the Lake Blackshear Resort. Zoller is pictured with fellow contestant Stephanie Butcher of Coweta County.

Ogeechee Technical College students Brandon Brannen and Michael Zoller recently attended the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Family Conference July 24-25 at the Lake Blackshear Resort in Cordele.

Effingham County Farm Bureau member Michael Zoller competed in the preliminary round of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Discussion Meet held during the GFB conference. Zoller is studying Agribusiness at Ogeechee Technical College.

Zoller was one of 19 contestants who participated in the discussion meet. The event is intended to stimulate a committee meeting during which agriculturalists discuss issues impacting agriculture. The contestants were divided into small groups of four or five to hold their discussions.

Ogeechee Technical College Agribusiness instructor, Elliott Marsh, commented on the benefit to his students that the conference offered. “Our students had the opportunity to hear great speakers, participate in informative programs, and network with many industry individuals who provided insight into Agribusiness and related professions. This was a great experience for them,” stated Marsh.

During the first round of competition contestants discussed whether the current level of government involvement is a net hindrance or a net benefit to agriculture. In the second round of competition contestants discussed if American consumers appreciate the importance of food produced in the United States and if American consumers will consider American agriculture important to our security in the future.

Other conference events included recognition of the GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award finalists, selection of the GFB photo contest winners and workshops that covered social media, farm safety and GFB’s legislative efforts. Numerous speakers were on hand to present information to the many students attending.

Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the state. Its volunteer members actively participate in local, district and state activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors. GFB also has 20 commodity advisory committees that give the organization input on issues pertinent to the major commodities grown in Georgia.

Ogeechee Technical College has one of only a few Agribusiness programs in Georgia, and the only one in the southeastern part of the state. Other natural resource programs at Ogeechee Tech include Wildlife & Plantation Management, Horticulture, and Geographic Information Systems.

Contact: Barry Turner
Executive Director for Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu