For State Discussion Meet Winner
Third Time’s the Charm
each time I entered and from the people watching Sunflower County row-crop farmer Clint Russell me. I think I was a little too aggressive in the first considers his speaking ability a God-given talent. two meets.” Nevertheless, it took him three tries plus years spent Clint, who chaired the 2010 YF&R State Commaturing and developing leadership skills in order mittee, says that this leadership experience helped to win the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation him gain insight into how to conduct himself during (MFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) State a discussion meet. Discussion Meet, competing with contestants from “As chair of the state committee, I was able to across the state. participate in state board meetings, and I soaked up “I have a real competitive spirit. I like to win,” he that experience,” he said. “I also credit my working said. “I felt that I could achieve success in this conwith the state staff and with other young farmers test if I kept trying.” with helping me to grow and mature as a leader. I Clint was also wise enough to learn from his listened to them and began to understand that other first two attempts as well as from efforts by his people have opinions, too, and that others know friend Shea Whitfield, who competed nationally in Clint Russell competed in the more than I know about certain topics or situations. 2010. You can’t think you have all of the answers. You “I learned that you must be disciplined and stick Sweet Sixteen semi-finals nationally. learn from people with different backgrounds and strictly to the rules. A discussion meet isn’t a debate,” he said. “You must be careful when you jump into the con- get their input and opinions as well. “I also learned that you lead by example, not be being aggressive versation, and you must stay on point and make statements relevant to the conversation. I had the rules explained to me by the YF&R or bossy. You make sure everyone is on board and involved,” he coordinator the first time I participated. After that, I learned from said. “You learn how to deal with different personalities when you
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MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
MARCH/APRIL