DENVER, Colo. — Martha Smith was recognized at the Colorado State Capitol today for taking the top prize at the Young Farmer and Rancher National Discussion Meet competition hosted at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Meeting. State legislators and community members gathered at the capitol as Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg presented Smith with a tribute from the General Assembly, congratulating her on her success.

Smith faced off against agriculture advocates from nearly every state at the national competition in Nashville last month. After four rounds, she was named the victor. The event simulates a boardroom discussion on issues pertinent to American agriculture. Knowledge of the industry as well as the ability to think critically and recommend realistic solutions was key to her win.

“Martha was an outstanding representative for Colorado and for young farmers and ranchers across the country,” said Chad Vorthmann, executive vice president of the Colorado Farm Bureau. “It is talented people like her who will lead the agriculture industry into the next generation and help us continue to feed people around the world.”

As the Champion, Smith is the winner of a new Ford pickup truck. She qualified for the national competition after winning the Colorado Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet at the 2017 Colorado Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

The Young Farmer and Rancher program includes men and women active in the agriculture industry that are between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help young farm bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other agriculture professionals and develop their professional skills to reach their full potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.

The website Colorado Politics also covered the morning’s event.