By Andi Anderson
Megan Platt of Shelby County has been named the winner of the 2025 Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ag Professionals Discussion Meet.
The competition took place on Dec. 12 and 13 in French Lick Indiana during the Indiana Ag Gathering. This event is one of the four major awards programs for Farm Bureau members aged 35 and younger.
The Discussion Meet is designed to test participants’ communication leadership and problem solving skills. Contestants take part in a group discussion that simulates a committee meeting.
During the sessions they analyze current agricultural issues and work together to suggest practical solutions that benefit farmers and rural communities.
Platt and the other finalists discussed several important challenges facing agriculture today. These included the impact of urban growth on farmland access and the loss of agricultural land each year.
They also examined the importance of farm succession planning and how families can better transfer land and resources to the next generation. Environmental stewardship was another key topic with discussions focused on balancing soil health ecosystem care and farm profitability.
Participants also explored how Farm Bureau can improve awareness of member benefits. This included strategies to better inform members about available savings programs and how young farmers can build strong local partnerships to support their operations.
The 2025 Indiana Farm Bureau Discussion Meet featured four rounds of competition including semifinal and final rounds. In the final discussion contestants focused on how technology and digital tools can help Farm Bureau members connect more effectively with local state and national officials. The winner was announced during the closing lunch on Dec. 13.
Platt now moves on to represent Indiana at the national Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. This event will be held during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention from Jan. 9 to 14 in Anaheim California.
Platt comes from a third generation beef cattle and row crop farming family in Shelby County. She farms with her husband in Fairland Indiana. She is a graduate of Purdue University and works as an agriculture teacher at Waldron Junior Senior High School teaching students from eighth through twelfth grade. She also serves as president of the Shelby County Farm Bureau.
As the state winner Platt will receive a four thousand dollar cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance along with an all expenses paid trip to the national convention.
The runners up were Lillian Knust of Vigo County Caleb Purkhiser of Washington County and Diana Rulon of Hamilton County. Each runner up will receive a one thousand dollar cash prize.
Photo Credit: indiana-farm-bureau
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle