Richwood Resident, Ridgedale Teacher Named Contest Finalists

Four state finalists have been named in Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) 2010 Discussion Meet. They are Nichole Gordon-Coy of Carrollton, Shelby Brammell of Kenton, Andrew Spiker of Adamsville and Tim Street of Richwood.

The annual contest tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills. The young professionals will participate in the finals of the competition during OFBF's annual meeting held Dec. 1 to 3 in Columbus.

The topics of discussion for the finals will be:

• Has technology become essential for American farmers? Should Farm Bureau influence and encourage all generations of farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists to embrace technological opportunities?
• Given recent challenges, such as volatile food prices and limited world food supplies, do American consumers adequately appreciate the importance of U.S.-produced food? Will American consumers consider American agriculture important to our security in the future?

Brammell is a five-year member of the Hardin County Farm Bureau, where she serves on the county board. She lives with her husband Kyle on a family farm, where they raise primarily alfalfa and grass hay, plus a few horses, freezer beef, chickens and sheep. Brammell has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Ohio State University. She works as an Agriculture Education Instructor at Ridgedale High School in Marion County.

Gordon-Coy is a three-year member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau, where she is active in membership activities and is a member of the Center for Food and Animal Issues action team. She and her husband James and their three children reside on livestock farm. Gordon-Coy has a bachelor’s degree in education from Akron University. She is a science teacher at Sandy Valley High School in Magnolia, where she teaches physics, chemistry and AP biology.

Spiker is an eight-year member of the Muskingum County Farm Bureau, where he serves as vice president on the county board and as team leader for the Center for Food and Animal Issues action team. He, along with his father and uncle operate a beef and grain farm. Spiker has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Ohio State University. He works as an agriculture education instructor for East Muskingum Schools.

Street is a nine-year member of the Marion County Farm Bureau where he serves on the county board and is active in membership recruitment. He resides with his wife Amanda and their two children on a grain farm. Street has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University, where he majored in agronomy. He works as the director of communications and member services for Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.

The winner of the contest will receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Atlanta in January to represent Ohio in the national contest. The winner will also receive $1,000 courtesy of Nationwide Insurance, $500 courtesy of Dodge and a Longaberger basket from Ohio Farm Bureau.