Sheridan College student tops WyFB Collegiate Discussion Meet
Tagg Mickelsen, a Sheridan College student and native of Wheatland, Wyo., was crowned the
champion of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet during
the recent Young Farmer and Rancher Conference held in Cheyenne. Seven competitors
represented the University of Wyoming, Central Wyoming College and Sheridan College.
“The discussion meet gives students the opportunity to learn about agricultural issues and bring
those ideas to the table with their peers,” according to WyFB YF&R Committee Chair Hannah
Guild. “The goal is to share knowledge, work together respectfully, and come to a thoughtful
conclusion on how to move an issue forward. These experiences build confidence and practical
skills students can take back to meetings in their counties and workplaces, helping strengthen
their communities and the future of agriculture.”
“This is my second year competing, and I’ve been impressed by the quality of the panels, the
strong contestants, and the discussions throughout the contest, Mickelsen said following the
contest. “The solutions presented to the challenges were thoughtful and well-developed, and
I’m excited to represent Wyoming at the next level.
Sheridan College Collegiate Farm Bureau Advisor Angel Sparkman noted Mickelsen was
confident and well-prepared for the contest. “Having the experience of competing last year made a huge difference. Coming back with that knowledge and confidence allowed him to step
up his game in a big way,” she said.
Mickelsen was joined by two of his fellow Sheridan College students in the final four, contest
runner-up Brook Greenwalt and Gary Brenneman. Central Wyoming student Maylee Nordstrom
rounded out the final four. Mickelsen will receive a $1,000 cash prize and an expense paid trip
to the national contest. Additionally, the runner-up will receive a $150 cash prize, while third-
and fourth-place finishers will each receive $25.
Sparkman emphasized how much work her students put in to prepare for this contest each year
and the impact Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation has on them.
“Having three of the four finalists is a testament to the students and the work they put in. They
truly take ownership of the process and keep pushing themselves forward,” Sparkman said. “It’s
so exciting to watch students step into a professional role and confidently talk about today’s
agricultural issues. You really get to see a different side of them.”
She continued, “Farm Bureau has given students opportunities to network in ways they never
thought were possible, and that impact will stay with them long after college. The real value
isn’t just what students learn in the classroom — it’s the experiences that help them grow as
people. These competitions build networking skills, confidence, and the ability to speak about
complex issues.”
Following this victory, Mickelsen will move on to represent Wyoming at the 2026 Farm Bureau
YF&R Leadership Conference held in Portland, Ore. in March.
— Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation
Georgia’s Masters elected as NACD president-elect
the National Association of Conservation Districts board of directors elected Mark Masters of southwest Georgia, to serve as the association’s president-elect. He will serve a one-year term as president-elect alongside current NACD President Gary Blair and will assume the role of NACD president in 2027.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Mark for the past few years,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “Mark brings dedication to locally led conservation, and the knowledge and leadership needed to help NACD achieve bold, new horizons.”
Masters has served NACD in a number of roles since 2021, including as a Chair of the Water and Climate Subcommittee, as an officer in the role of secretary-treasurer, and most recently as NACD’s first vice president. He also served as a president of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and is a supervisor at his local conservation district, the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District.
As executive director of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, Masters leverages his wealth of knowledge on issues related to water use and management and supports conservation research and outreach across the country. He is also involved in numerous local, state and national advisory boards.
Masters is a proud graduate of the National Conservation Foundation’s inaugural Next Generation Leadership Institute Cohort and has been honored as Georgia’s Supervisor of the Year and a Georgia “Clean Water Hero.” He operates a beef cow and timber farm with his family and has three children with his wife, Amy.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve NACD and the thousands of conservation leaders across the county in this new role,” said President-Elect Masters. “It is a joy to work alongside such a dedicated team of staff and volunteers to address the evolving nature and magnitude of resource concerns through the local delivery of conservation policy and practices.”
Masters will be sworn in as president in February 2027 at NACD’s 81st Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
— National Association of Conservation Districts
