MORRISVILLE, NY— Ashley Willits, a Morrisville State student from Copenhagen, NY, represented the New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) in the Collegiate Discussion Meet held at The American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn., where she earned a spot in the “Sweet 16” as one of the top 16 individuals out of 47 who participated.
Willits, a freshman in the agriculture business program, qualified for the national competition after placing first at the New York State Collegiate Discussion Meet competition held at Morrisville State.
During the three-day leadership and development conference in Tennessee, Willits participated in numerous sessions where she learned about the Farm Bill, rising trends in the agricultural industry, and how to be a better leader.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet is a competition in which four contestants simulate a committee meeting where they discuss rising issues in the agricultural industry and develop possible solutions for these problems, taking into account how the problems change across state boundaries.
Judging is based on contestants’ constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.
Willits has extensive experience in the agriculture industry, having served as the 2013-2014 president of the New York State FFA Association and as chapter reporter and secretary and the District VI President on the 2012-2013 State Officer Team. She was a state finalist in 2012 and 2013 in the Prepared Speaking and Job Interview Career Development Event (CDE) and a National Finalist in 2010 for the FFA Creed Speaking CDE. She was also a member of the National Poultry Judging Team in 2011 and was the recipient of the 2014 Empire State Potato Growers Association Scholarship.
Willits’ dedication has also taken her around the globe. In January, she traveled with the National FFA Organization to South Africa as a part of the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO). The two-week long trip gave participants the opportunity to volunteer in a South African community, meet agricultural leaders, explore South African agriculture, and gain a better understanding of the global marketplace.
Willits, a 2014 graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School, is the daughter of Jennifer and Melvin Phelps of Copenhagen.
The American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference focuses on leadership and personal development opportunities for Farm Bureau young farmers and ranchers.
The interactive leadership development conference also featured motivational speakers, tours of agricultural operations, and the Collegiate Discussion Meet competition which provided networking opportunities for more than 800 young farmers and ranchers from at least 45 states.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.