Michigan Farm Bureau Discussion Meets simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.
Michigan Farm Bureau hosts Young Farmer Discussion Meets for 18- to 35-year-old members and Youth and Collegiate Discussion Meets to introduce young leaders to the organization.
2024 Young Farmer Discussion Meet Information
- Guidebook
- Young farmers and ranchers are finding they need to diversify their farm portfolio. What are some ways that young farmers and ranchers can utilize diversification to explore new revenue sources? How can Farm Bureau support YF&R members as they strengthen their farm and ranch businesses? This question will be used at all district discussion meets.
- Increases in the price of agricultural land make access and ownership of land one of the biggest hurdles for young farmers and ranchers looking to start or expand farms and ranches. How can young farmers and ranchers position themselves to react to competition for agricultural land? This is a back-up question at district discussion meets if a second round is needed.
- The landscape of American agriculture and the picture of the “typical" American farm continues to change. Meanwhile, Farm Bureau will need to continue to recruit and retain members in order to be a vibrant and effective organization into the future. How can Farm Bureau continue to provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture and American farmers and ranchers?
- Succession planning is often a tough subject not only for individual farms and ranches but also within county Farm Bureaus. Some younger members may find it challenging to become involved in their county Farm Bureau beyond the YF&R committee. What are some ways that county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members and how can actively engaged young board members help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future?
- Farmers and ranchers are reliant on multiple energy sources to run equipment, heat livestock barns and power storage and maintenance facilities. How can Farm Bureau work with energy companies, local governments and rural communities to increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights?
All questions will be used during the State Discussion Meet, two during Preliminary Rounds, two during Sweet Sixteen and one for the Final Round.
2024 Collegiate Discussion Meet Information
The following links provide reliable resources and information you may find helpful as you prepare:
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Farm Bureau Education & Leadership
- Michigan Farm Bureau Political Action
- Michigan Farm News
- Michigan Grown, Michigan Great
- Michigan State University Extension
All Collegiate Farm Bureau members 18-35 years of age, are enrolled in an undergraduate program, and who will not turn 36 before February 1st are eligible to compete in the State Collegiate Discussion Meet held on Wednesday, December 4th in conjunction with MFB’s State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. Online registration must be completed by Friday, November 15th at midnight.
Register Now
Third Place will receive a $200 cash prize and plaque. The state runner-up will receive a $300 cash prize and plaque. The state winner will receive $500, a Collegiate Farm Bureau polo, plaque and an all-expenses paid trip for them and a guest to the 2025 American Farm Bureau FUSION Conference March 7-11th in Denver, Colorado to represent Michigan at the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet Competition. All prizes are courtesy of DTE Energy and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
2024 High School Discussion Meet Information
The following links provide reliable resources and information you may find helpful as you prepare:
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Farm Bureau Education & Leadership
- Michigan Farm Bureau Political Action
- Michigan Farm News
- Michigan Grown, Michigan Great
- Michigan State University Extension
All high school students who are FFA members, 4-H members, and/or dependents of Michigan Farm Bureau members, except past Michigan Farm Bureau High School Discussion Meet state winners, are eligible to compete. Each regional competition is based on FFA regional boundaries and hosted by FFA chapters.
Each FFA chapter, 4-H club and county Farm Bureau can send up to three competitors to compete in the regional competition. Competitors may only compete in one regional competition per year. The top three individuals from each regional competition will move on to the state competition at the Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 4 in Grand Rapids, MI.
Register Now
Online registration must be completed one week prior to the competition date. If you have any questions about registration or Discussion Meets in general, please contact Katie Cooper.
REGION I
Event Date: Nov. 12, 5:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 5
Location: Vicksburg High School
Counties in Region: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Eaton, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren
REGION II
Event Date: Nov. 7, 6:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Oct. 31
Location: Milan High School
Counties in Region: Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne
REGION III
Event Date: Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 6
Location: Delta College
Counties in Region: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola
REGION IV
Event Date: Sept. 28, 9:00 a.m.
Registration Due Date: Sept. 20
Location: Byron High School
Counties in Region: Clinton, Genesee, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Shiawassee, and St. Clair
REGION V
Event Date: Oct. 16, 4:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Oct. 9
Location: Cedar Springs High School
Counties in Region: Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceania, Osceola, and Ottawa
REGION VI
Event Date: TBD
Registration Due Date: TBD
Location: Bay Arenac Career Center
Counties in Region: Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iosco, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft, and Wexford
Check out our training videos and discussion examples
at the Michigan Farm Bureau YouTube page!
Thank you to our Discussion Meet Sponsors
