October 2025
Emma Self, a sophomore at Warner University, was awarded first place in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet. The discussion meet took place at the organization’s 84th state Annual Meeting on Oct. 27.
Self is an agricultural studies major at Warner University, where she attends on a full four-year scholarship for academic and extracurricular excellence as winner of the 2024 Warner University Royal Cup. A former Florida FFA Area Four vice president, Self currently serves as a leadership development event coach for Florida FFA students.
“Winning the Collegiate Discussion Meet is a huge blessing because it has given me a deeper sense of confidence and clarity in my voice as an advocate for agriculture,” said Self. “Having this opportunity as a college student has reinforced my commitment to bridging the gap between the field and our organization, and I am so excited to carry that on at the national level. I pray that I have represented Warner University in the light God has called me to and I am humbled that I have been able to have such rich conversations with other advocates of Florida Farm Bureau.”
The competition is evaluated on a constructive exchange of ideas and information on pre-determined questions. Other finalists for the statewide contest were Andrew Brantmeyer (University of Florida), Reagan Robinson (University of Florida), Preston Loggins (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) and Sarah Wilson (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University).
Self received a plaque, a $500 check and an expense-paid trip to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon, March 13-16, 2026, where she will represent Florida in the national Collegiate Discussion Meet.