McDermid wins 2024 YF&R Discussion Meet

(ROUND ROCK, Texas)—Paden McDermid of Montgomery County was the winner of the 2024 Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet during the organization’s 91st Annual Meeting.

McDermid is an estimating project manager for 5G Monarch Construction, a real estate development company.

“Through the Discussion Meet, young Farm Bureau members talk about issues facing agriculture today,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Their ideas and thoughts are important as agriculture continues to change and adapt.”

McDermid earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and agricultural economics from New Mexico State University. His family raises cattle in Montgomery County.

The Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant.

During the discussion meet, the contestants build basic discussion skills, develop a deeper understanding of agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems through discussion.

McDermid will receive an ATV with an estimated prize value of $9,000, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to compete in the national contest during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.

Also in the final four were Lyle Logemann of Carson County, Johnathan Barrett of Denton County, and Grant Davis of Rusk County.

The three finalists will each receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank, and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

Paden will represent Texas in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in January 2025.

National prizes
The winner of the national Excellence of Agriculture award will receive a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford, courtesy of Ford Motor Company; and registration to the 2025 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference in Colorado.

The national runner-up will receive a $25,000 credit toward a new piece of equipment from Case IH, courtesy of Case IH.

Third place in the national competition will receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of AmericanAg; and $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker; and a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH.

The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH branded Solo Stove, courtesy of Case IH.

Contest information
For more information on young farmer and rancher activities for members ages 18 to 35, visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.