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.
2025 Young Farmer Discussion Meet Information
- Guidebook
Missed your District Discussion meet? Save the date for the statewide makeup Discussion Meet held virtually on September 3 at 6 pm. Any eligible Young Farmer member can compete for a chance at moving on to the state contest.
DISTRICT 1
Event Date: March 22 (completed)
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 (completed)
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: April 2 (completed)
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 (completed)
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 (completed)
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: April 12
Location: Hillhaven Farms, 4246 E. McBrides Rd, Edmore, MI
Regional Manager: Andrew Smith
Counties in Region: Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola
Details: 4:00 p.m. Discussion Meet, dinner and euchre/bingo game night to follow. Main dish is provided, but please bring a side dish to share.
DISTRICT 8
Event Date: April 6 (completed)
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: May 3
Location: Great Wolf Lodge, 3575 US-31, Traverse City, MI
Regional Manager: Kelsee Steenwyk
Counties in Region: Benzie-Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, NW Michigan, Wexford
Details: 12:00 p.m. lunch; Discussion Meet and water park to follow. Discussion Meet participants receive two free tickets to use day-of until 8:00 p.m.
DISTRICT 10
Event Date: April 6 (completed)
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: TBD (postponed)
Location: Gaylor Bowling Center, 1200 Gornick Ave, Gaylord, MI
Regional Manager: Kathleen Blust
Counties in Region: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Otsego, Presque Isle
Details: Dinner and bowling included. Door prizes will be raffered off — including a portable speaker, MFB cornhole boards, and an Amazon gift card. RSVP to Kathleen Blust at (248) 238-2363.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
Check out our training videos and discussion examples
at the Michigan Farm Bureau YouTube page!
Thank you to our Discussion Meet Sponsors
