Nine students from Fresno State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology helped address current issues facing the agricultural industry at the annual California Farm Bureau Federation’s Discussion Meet competition Dec. 2 in Reno.

The competition evaluated California college students enrolled in agriculture programs on their ability to express ideas and cooperate with others while discussing such hot topics as the rights of property owners, global issues and American agricultural policy, public perception of the family farm and environmental concerns.

Fresno State had two students, Joel Saldana and Danielle Oliveira, make it to the “Elite Eight” round of competition. Saldana finished as second runner-up.

Participants from Fresno State were Beatriz Campuzano and Natalio Mendez of Bakersfield; Laura Henson of Sanger; Cody Jacobsen of Le Grand; Danielle Oliveira of Tulare; Cole Rojewski of Clovis; Joel Saldana of Firebaugh; Lazaro Sandoval of Santa Maria; and Jessica Sweeten of Hilmar.

For more information, call 559.278.2061.