Austin Bordelon Quotes Shakespeare to Win Farm Bureau Talk Meet

By A. Denise Attaway, Farm Bureau Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS – Austin Bordelon of Avoyelles Parish quoted Shakespeare and compared farmers to Julius Caesar Friday to win the Talk Meet held during the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 89th annual meeting here Friday.

The 17-year-old presented a five-minute speech, in which he referenced the Shakespearian plays – As You Like It, Hamlet, Henry V and Julius Caesar – to answer the question, “Given recent challenges, such as volatile food prices and limited world food supplies, do American consumers adequately appreciate the importance of U.S.-produced food? Will American consumers consider American agriculture important to our security in the future?”

“All the world’s a stage,” he began, quoting from As You Like It. “And, on this particular stage, agriculture is featured. The curtain opens and we see a farmer plowing his field. Modern advances and technology have made it possible for American farmers to produce an adequate supply of food for our nation.

“Because of this, Americans don’t have to rely on other nations for our food,” Bordelon continued. “We must continue to support American farmers so that we can continue to have an abundant food supply and our national security won’t be threatened.”

Bordelon triumphed over nine other contestants to win the Talk Meet, one of several youth events sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. Bordelon is the son of Jordan and Debra Bordelon. He plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in biochemistry. Upon graduating from undergraduate school, Bordelon plans to attend medical school at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport.

Gabriel Stelly, 17, of St. Landry Parish, placed second in the Talk Meet. He plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in ag business. Gabriel is the son of Chuck and Joyce Stelly. The Stelly’s grow rice and crawfish.

Third place in the 2011 Talk Meet went to Shane Danos of Calcasieu Parish. The 15-year-old plans to attend Louisiana State University. He is the son of Willie and Lynda Danos. They raise rice and soybeans.