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Zoller competes in Georgia Farm Bureau discussion meet
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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. - photo by Photo provided
MACON—Effingham County Farm Bureau member Michael Zoller competed in the preliminary round of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Discussion Meet on July 24. The event was held during the GFB Young Farmer Family Conference at the Lake Blackshear Resort in Cordele.
 
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 and five to hold their discussions. 
 
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 U.S. and if American consumers will consider American agriculture important to our security in the future.
 
The four contestants selected to compete for the state prize during the GFB annual convention in December are: Christy Bryan of Chattooga County,
Jessica Bryant of Jackson County, Jonathan Fordham of Bleckley County and Will Godowns of Pike County.
 
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. 
 
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.