November 3, 2005
Debate gives students opportunity to win
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A team of students representing the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow club won the recent Townsend Outstanding Communicator in Agriculture Debate Competition, held Oct. 20 at Purdue University.
The topic for this year's debate was whether the state of Indiana should double pork production. Second place went to a team of students representing the Block and Bridle club. The competition was open to student teams in the College of Agriculture.
Arguing against doubling pork production, the ACT team consisted of Julie Douglas of Flat Rock, Ind., Amber Miller of Brownstown, Ind., and Veronica Novak of Logansport, Ind. The Block and Bridle team consisted of John Downey of Hope, Ind., Brian Arnold of Liberty Center, Ind., and Alan Duttlinger of Hebron, Ind., who argued for doubling pork production.
All participants conducted research, interviews and collected resources in support of both sides of the issue. Neither team knew until a few minutes before the debate whether they were to argue for or against the topic.
"The ACT team won due to delivery with conviction and organization of materials as well as quoting more sources," said Danita Rodibaugh, one of the judges and president of the National Pork Board.
"All seven debate teams did a wonderful job and I was very impressed with their research and arguments," said Natalie Federer, Agricultural Communication academic adviser and Townsend debate coordinator. "Each team approached the topic of doubling pork production in a different way, from economics and technology to environmental, social and community issues."
The final debate was held in the evening with four judges. Rodibaugh was joined by Tom Bechman, editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, Ryan West from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Sally Thompson, department head and professor of agricultural economics.
Doubling pork production in the state is a strategic goal of the Indiana Department of Agriculture and Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Speaker points were given throughout the day for each participant based on their speaking ability, attitude, clear voice, eye contact and argument content.
The ACT team received $750, along with a trophy. The second-place team received $500. The speaker award went to Block and Bridle team member Brian Arnold, who received $100 and a plaque.
Funding for the debate competition is provided by Wayne Townsend, a distinguished College of Agriculture alumnus, farmer and former politician.
More information on the debate is available on the Web (under News).
Source: Natalie Federer, (765) 494-8406, nfederer@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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