Senior agricultural communications major Clayton Merrill and the Fresno State discussion squad combined to win its sixth straight state team title at the event hosted Saturday, Dec. 2, at the California Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Reno, Nevada.
In the individual contest, Merrill won top honors for Fresno State’s ninth victory since 2011. The Los Alamos native was also a finalist at the event in 2022.
The team’s other three members finished as Elite 8 semifinalists in their event debuts and included animal science senior Conner Burns (Indio), agricultural education junior Gemma Fortunato (Fresno) and agricultural education freshman Jada Sanchez (Santa Maria).
All of the competitors were judged on their understanding of key agricultural issues; ability to facilitate positive discussion and collaboration; and courtesy, etiquette and time management skills.
Fresno State’s strong individual efforts led to its 11th team victory since 2006 (under the guidance of faculty Dr. Avery Culbertson and Dr. Steven Rocca). Last year’s champion, Brendan Black, also served as a team coach.
Merrill won $1,250 for his state title and will compete in the national discussion contest at the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in March in Omaha, Nebraska.
Other recent Fresno State individual state champions included Black (2022), Austin LaSalle (2020), Sam Looper (2019), Abigail Carlson (2018), Hunter Berry (2016), Levy Randolph (2014), Jake Carlson (2013), Tino Rossi (2011) and Jackie Mundt (2008).
The team added state titles in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008 and 2006.
The final four contestants talk on stage during the collegiate Discussion Meet at the 2023 California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and YF&R Conference at the Sierra Grand Resort in Reno Nevada, Friday, December 2, 2023.
Photo Brian Baer
