Brent Howard of Jackson County was named the 2017 Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet winner at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Nov. 10 in Norman, Oklahoma.
Howard competed against four other participants in three rounds of debate-style discussion where performance was evaluated on the exchange of ideas and information on pre-determined topics. Participants were judged on their ability to offer constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.
“The discussion meet is just great in the aspect of it really gets you thinking about questions that are current events and currently major issues affecting farming and a lot of times affecting the younger generation,” Howard said. “It’s really nice to have an opportunity to have input as we affect policy for the state level.”
An attorney specializing in tax and estate planning, Howard also assists with his family farm northeast of Altus, Oklahoma.
As the state discussion meet winner, Howard received a John Deere Z345R Lawn Mower, presented by P&K Equipment and the opportunity to compete in the national discussion meet contest at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting Jan. 5-10 in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I’m really excited to go represent Oklahoma (at AFBF) as best as I can,” Howard said.
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest gathering of farmers and ranchers every year. At the event, members vote on grassroots policy, elect leaders and award outstanding individuals. OKFB has a presence in all 77 Oklahoma counties and serves as the voice of agriculture and the rural way of life. To learn more, visit www.okfarmbureau.org.
Download a high-resolution photo of Brent Howard receiving the 2017 OKFB YF&R Discussion Meet Award.
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Scott Eisenhauer, general manager of P&K equipment (left), and Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan (center) present the 2017 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Award to Brent Howard of Altus along with OKFB YF&R Coordinator Zac Swartz during the awards session at the 76th annual OKFB convention in Norman on Friday, Nov. 10. Howard won the award after three rounds of discussion during the organization’s annual meeting.
