Photo credit: Herbert College of Agriculture

Article sponsored by Herbert College of Agriculture.

Ella McLerran, a senior animal science student at the Herbert College of Agriculture, was nationally recognized as the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet winner.

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“Winning the Discussion Meet competition was an incredibly surreal moment for me,”  McLerran says. “Hearing my name called as the winner filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment that is truly indescribable.” 

As someone who grew up watching her parents participate in Young Farmers & Ranchers, getting involved has allowed her “passion for the organization to flourish.” Among other state and national-level competitions, McLerran has competed in the Discussion Meet since 2022. 

“This experience has shaped me into a more adept communicator and conscientious leader, demonstrating the power of open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving,” she continues.

Photo credit: Herbert College of Agriculture

McLerran attributes her success to her upbringing in 4-H and FFA, as well as her involvement in student organizations like Herbert Ambassadors and Livestock Judging. “Through my participation in Herbert programs, I’ve undergone significant personal growth and development, laying a solid foundation for competing on a national platform,” she says. 

After graduation, McLerran plans to pursue a legislative internship prior to starting law school. One day, she hopes to “get back to the farm” through production agriculture. Until then, her focus “is to enter the agricultural industry, not from behind the fencerows, but as a lawyer dedicated to advocating for and protecting our nation’s vital agricultural sector.”

See more: Agriculture Offers a Broad Spectrum of Rewarding Career Opportunities

Photo credit: Herbert College of Agriculture

McLerran believes that everything from her experiences with Young Farmers & Ranchers to her background in 4-H and FFA, along with her involvement at Herbert, has equipped her to pursue an impactful career in agricultural law. Herbert is uniquely positioned to provide opportunities like these as it is tied to both UT Knoxville, a flagship, land-grant university, and the UT Institute of Agriculture with its statewide presence. 

“I am confident that my education and experiences will serve as a strong foundation as I work toward advocating for the interests of farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole,” McLerran says.