Three students from Purdue’s Department of Youth Development and Agricultural Education won the Townsend Outstanding Communicator in Agriculture Debate Competition this fall.

Arguing that U.S. consumers do not have more quality food choices than ever before were Ryan Wynkoop of Rensselaer, Ind., Aaron McKim of Lanesville, Ind., and Logan Springstun of Boonville, Ind. The runner-up team consisted of Cody Fink of Cambridge City, Ind., Ashley Bechman of Franklin, Ind., and Joyce Lok of Los Angeles, Calif.

Neither team knew until minutes before the final debate which side of the issue they would be taking.

“The debate takes time and work but is definitely worth it,” Wynkoop says. “Now, when I go to interviews and meet industry people, I’ll be more knowledgeable and will feel more comfortable speaking about issues facing agriculture.”

The speaker award went to Christy Penner of North Manchester, Ind., who throughout the day accumulated points based on her speaking abilities, argumentation, structure, style, delivery and persuasion.

Four teams participated in the competition, open to all Purdue Agriculture students. Wayne Townsend, BS ’51, a distinguished College of Agriculture alumnus, farmer and former politician, funded the competition, which has been held annually since 2005. Team Ag Education participants each won a laptop computer, and each runner-up won their choice of an MP3 player or a digital video camera.

“Not only do students get fun prizes, but the debate gives them a chance to enhance their oral communication, research, critical thinking, teamwork and organizational skills,” says Natalie Federer, agricultural communication academic adviser and debate coordinator.

McKim says the debate offered him the chance to broaden his knowledge about agricultural issues and taught him the value of teamwork.