Discussion Meets

• ​​​​​​Guidebook

DISTRICT 1

Event Date: March 22

Location: Griner Farms, 13120 Born St, Jones, MI

Regional Manager: Sarah Pion 

Counties in Region: Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren

Details: Dinner at 4:00 p.m., Discussion Meet at 5:30 p.m. RSVP by March 14 to either Sarah Pion at (269) 377-4841 or Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau at (269) 342-0212.

DISTRICT 2

Event Date: June 26

Location: River Dell Event Barn, 26450 H Drive South, Homer, MI

Regional Manager: Kim Kerr 

Counties in Region: Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee

Details: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Dinner included. Contact Kim Kerr at (269) 781-7611 to RSVP. 

DISTRICT 3

Event Date: April 4

Location: Farm of Dave & Denise Reaume, 8889 US Turnpike, Newport, MI

Regional Manager: Hannah Meyers

Counties in Region: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne

Details: Dinner at 6:30 p.m., Discussion Meet at 7:00 p.m. RSVP here.

DISTRICT 4

Event Date: March 20

Location: Red Barn Market, 3550 Alden Nash Ave NE, Lowell, MI 

Regional Manager: Lori Schrauben 

Counties in Region: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Ottawa

Details: Event begins at 6:30 p.m. Contact Lori Schrauben at (517) 230-3462 to RSVP.

DISTRICT 5

Event Date: January 19

Location: Brody Square Dining Hall, 241 W. Brody Rd, East Lansing, MI

Regional Manager: Hannah Nunn

Counties in Region: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Shiawassee

Details: Missed it? Watch for details on the fall statewide makeup Discussion Meet!

DISTRICT 6

Event Date: March 14

Location: Bootlegger's Axe Co., 402 Quay St. Port Huron, MI

Regional Manager: Laken Polega

Counties in Region: Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola

Details: Tour of Blue Water Bridge at 2:30 p.m.; dinner, Discussion Meet, and Axe throwing at 4:30 p.m. Contact Laken Polega to RSVP.

DISTRICT 7

Event Date: TBD

Location: TBD

Regional Manager: Andrew Smith

Counties in Region: Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola

Details: Check back later for more details.

DISTRICT 8

Event Date: April 6

Location: Dow Diamond, 825 E. Main St, Midland, MI

Regional Manager: Alex Schunk

Counties in Region: Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw

Details: Arrive by 12:15 p.m.. Food and baseball tickets provided. RSVP here. 

DISTRICT 9

Event Date: TBD

Location: TBD

Regional Manager: Kelsee Steenwyk

Counties in Region: Benzie-Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, NW Michigan, Wexford

Details: Check back later for more details.

DISTRICT 10

Event Date: April 6

Location: Dow Diamond, 825 E. Main St, Midland, MI

Regional Manager: Sonya Novotny

Counties in Region: Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Huron Shores, Iosco, Ogemaw

Details: Arrive by 12:15 p.m.. Food and baseball tickets provided. RSVP here. 

DISTRICT 11

Event Date: April 5

Location: TBD

Regional Manager: Kathleen Blust

Counties in Region: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Otsego, Presque Isle

Details: Check back later for more details.

DISTRICT 12

Event Date: August 14

Location: UP State Fair — Delta Chamber of Commerce,1001 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI

Regional Manager: Craig Knudson

Counties in Region: Copper Country, Chippewa, Hiawathaland, Iron Range, Mac-Luce-Schoolcraft, Menominee

Details: Event begins at 6:30 p.m. EST. RSVP to your county Farm Bureau: Chippewa — (906) 430-5035; Copper Country — (906) 779-1774; Hiawathaland — (906) 789-9373; Iron Range — (906) 779-1774; Mac-Luce Schoolcraft — (906) 430-5035; Menominee — (906) 779-1774

1. Farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of environmental stewardship. From soil health to local ecosystems, producers are concerned about how to be both environmentally and financially sustainable. How can farmers and ranchers effectively advance environmental stewardship while balancing the needs of their farms? This question will be used at all district discussion meets. 
2. Urban sprawl presents significant challenges for farmers and ranchers, impacting access to land and resources. We see that 1.9 million acres of agricultural land are lost to development each year. How can Farm Bureau help promote responsible growth in communities while mitigating the loss of farms, ranches, and the agrarian way of life? This is the backup question at district discussion meets, if a second round is needed.
3. Technology has made the world more interconnected than ever, creating new avenues for communication with policymakers. How can digital engagement be leveraged to effectively connect Farm Bureau members with their local, state, and national elected and appointed officials?
4. There are numerous resources available to support seamless farm and ranch succession planning. How can Farm Bureau help increase understanding, access and utilization of tools and resources that help facilitate the smooth transition of land and capital from one generation to the next?
5. Farm Bureau offers a diverse range of member benefits at the state and national levels. What strategies can be implemented to ensure members are fully informed about the savings on products and services available to them? Additionally, how can young farmers and ranchers leverage these industry relationships to strengthen local partnerships and increase utilization of these discounts to keep their operations running smoothly?

All questions will be used during the State Discussion Meet:, Two during Preliminary Rounds, two during Sweet Sixteen and one for the Final Round.

Opening Statement (30 seconds each, clockwise around the table):  
Introduce yourself, your connection to agriculture, and any personal reflections you have on the topic.  

Discussion Body (15-20 minutes): With your fellow participants, analyze the topic, ask relevant questions, define solutions that are achievable, specific, and showcase Farm Bureau’s role. Be an active listener, show courtesy to others, and address your fellow participants with good eye contact and clear communication.  

Closing Statement (1 minute each, counterclockwise around the table):  
Share your closing thoughts, acknowledging others’ ideas and summarizing some actionable items.