Fresno State junior Tim Truax earned a $2,250 scholarship as the national champion of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet on Feb. 17 and 18.

Contestants included state champions or runners-up who prepared the past year researching five topics that ranged from boosting the declining population of farmers, improving public perception of family farm corporations, overcoming skepticism of domestic and international trade agreements, maintaining buying leverage with the consolidation of farm input suppliers, and managing increasing regulatory and legal requirements.

Truax credits Dr. Steven Rocca, Fresno State agricultural education faculty and discussion team advisor, as being the person who drew him to Fresno State.

“Being a Central Valley kid, born and raised, I wouldn’t trade the chance to attend college anywhere else,” said Truax. “I have gained much insight from very talented professors here who know the industry.”

“Tim’s presentation and ability to facilitate the discussion was very impressive,” said Dr. Rocca. “He showed great leadership skills and kept his cool in times that were stressful. He was a great representative of our program and university.”

Truax is the fifth Jordan College student to represent California in the national competition under the guidance of Dr. Rocca, who has served as the discussion team advisor since joining the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department faculty full-time in 2005.

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