Evangeline Parish Mother Wins Louisiana Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

By Veronica Mosgrove

Raquel Manuel of Evangeline Parish competes in the final round of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet.

NEW ORLEANS-Evangeline Parish resident Raquel Manuel is the 2023 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet winner. It was her first time participating in the event - a competitive mock committee meeting which allows professionals in agriculture to develop leadership skills.

“A committee should never be a debate but rather the opportunity to discuss differentiating ideas and come to a conclusion,” said Manuel. “It also allows us to bring diverse perspectives to the table.”  

American Farm Bureau Federation provides five questions on the agriculture sector and Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation then narrows it down to two topics. This year’s topics were access to capital for young farmers and ranchers and diversity in agriculture.

“There are many obstacles to starting a farm because it is a capital intensive endeavor. We discussed opportunities such as partnering with education programs through 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA),” said Manuel. “I brought up a possible opportunity through legislation - a unique partnership through education and legislation currently being modeled by Farm Bureaus in Ohio, Kentucky and Nebraska where there are income tax incentives for farmers who participate in a financial literacy course offered by local colleges,” she added.

As for the topic of diversity, Manuel said the consensus among the four finalists was the opportunity to work with organizations that have specialties.  “Whether that is a youth organization which represents age diversity or commodity specialist organizations,  Farm Bureau has the responsibility to be the beam - the support beam – that transverses the building of agriculture. It touches on all of the major aspects and shows its support in that way,” said Manuel.  

This year’s winner serves as Foundation Director for the Louisiana FFA. Her husband, Clint, is a project engineer and they work cattle on 130 acres in Evangeline Parish. She said they understand more than ever the need for capital as young farmers.

Manuel said Louisiana Farm Bureau 3rd Vice President Richard Fontenot, also of Evangeline Parish, urged her to participate in the discussion meet because of her love of agriculture.

“I’m so grateful to God and my family who supports me in everything I do,” said Manuel.

Manuel won a trip to compete in the Discussion Meet at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt lake City, Utah, a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, along with other cash prizes.

Manuel and her husband, Clint, are the proud parents of six-year-old Luke and one-and-a-half year old Levi.