Former Lebanon Fair Queen Reaches National Finals in Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

Brooke Beamesderfer, a Penn State student, placed in the top four at the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:00am

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Brooke Beamesderfer, a Penn State agribusiness management student and former Lebanon Area Fair Queen, placed in the top four at the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in Portland, Oregon. Beamesderfer competed against 36 contestants from across the country in the annual contest that challenges participants to engage in active discussion on topics central to agriculture.

Why it matters

The Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet is a prestigious national competition that allows students to showcase their communication skills and knowledge of important agricultural issues. Beamesderfer's strong performance highlights her passion for advocating for the agricultural community and promoting the continued strength of Pennsylvania's farming industry.

The details

At the national competition, Beamesderfer and the other finalists were challenged to discuss topics such as urban sprawl, using technology to connect farmers with policymakers, farm succession planning, balancing environmental and financial sustainability, and making members more aware of Farm Bureau benefits. The contestants were graded on their ability to hold a constructive conversation and bring new ideas to the table.

  • Beamesderfer won the state Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in November 2025.
  • The national competition took place March 13-16, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

The players

Brooke Beamesderfer

A Penn State agribusiness management student and former Lebanon Area Fair Queen who placed in the top four at the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet.

Sara Bair

The winner of the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, a junior majoring in agriculture education at Utah State University.

Torrie Reed

One of the other finalists in the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, from Georgia.

Courtney Taibi

One of the other finalists in the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, from New York.

Stan Ernst

An assistant teaching professor in agribusiness management in Penn State's Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education who has worked with Beamesderfer.

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What they’re saying

“They take important issues that need solutions, and by having this contest with live discussion, that's how solutions are formed. It's very much a conversation — not a debate — and you're graded more on how well you hold a conversation and bring ideas to the table.”

— Brooke Beamesderfer, Penn State Agribusiness Management Student

“What makes Brooke a top student is that she's driven to succeed and pretty well organized for an undergrad. In just the first year I've worked with her, she has become more intentional with her choices of where to put her time. That's not easy because she's interested in many things and wants to be involved.”

— Stan Ernst, Assistant Teaching Professor, Penn State

“Brooke's strong communication skills and ability to understand the challenges facing agricultural producers allowed her to positively contribute to the discussion during the state-level competition. To be fully prepared to represent Pennsylvania at the national competition, she practiced with former Penn State Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet competitors, demonstrating her commitment to continual improvement.”

— John Ewing, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, Penn State

What’s next

Beamesderfer will work as an intern this summer with PennAg Industries Association and will also work on a community project with the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation to generate ideas for a new agricultural resource. She will also shadow state Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, during session meetings.

The takeaway

Brooke Beamesderfer's strong performance at the national Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet demonstrates her passion for advocating for the agricultural community and her commitment to developing the communication and leadership skills needed to support the continued growth and success of Pennsylvania's farming industry.