Clay Patton of Lexington, Nebraska, secured his spot among the final 16 competitors of the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Discussion Meet in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The discussion meet is being held in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention.
Patton, a Dawson County Farm Bureau member, qualified for the national discussion meet competition after winning the Nebraska YF&R Discussion Meet in December.
Rather than debating, contestants work to develop a solution to a problem being discussed, building on each other’s contributions. Competitors in the annual contest must be prepared to speak on several current agricultural related topics; the selected question is announced a short time prior to the contest round.
Patton is a farm broadcaster and market anchor with the Nebraska Rural Radio Association. He lives on a small acreage with his wife Janelle who is a vet tech in their community. They grow hay and raise goats.
The YF&R Discussion Meet Sweet 16 Round will take place Sunday, January 8 at 1:15 p.m. AST. The final four competitors will be announced Sunday at 4:55 p.m. AST.
