(WDNews) – On Friday, October 3, 2025, the Alabama Young Farmers, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), hosted its annual Collegiate Discussion Meet. Contestants discussed major challenges facing agriculture today, including digital engagement, environmental stewardship, and urban sprawl.
After three rounds of competition, Ty Torbert, an agricultural business and economics student at Auburn University from Dothan, Ala., emerged as the state champion, defeating seven participants from three Alabama schools. Torbert will now represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau’s national competition in Portland, Oregon, in March 2026.
Torbert has deep ties to agriculture. His family operated a cattle farm and founded Bonnie Plants, a name well known across the South for its home gardening products.
“I am extremely honored to have won this competition against such a qualified group of competitors,” Torbert said. “ALFA is a phenomenal organization, and I look forward to working with them as I prepare to participate in the national discussion meet. I do not take this task lightly and will work hard to make Dothan and all of Alabama proud.”
Torbert added, “I am passionate about public service and plan to stay in Alabama to help my home state become even better.”
