Discussion Meet

Today's Voices.  Tomorrow's Solutions.

The Farm Bureau Discussion Meet is an annual competition designed to help Young Farmers & Ag Professionals learn how to effectively share and build upon ideas that foster understanding and collaboration to address important agricultural issues. The competition simulates a committee meeting where each participant is expected to be actively involved in the discussion.

Each year, the American Farm Bureau Federation develops five questions for which contestants will be asked to prepare answers. The questions are used at the regional, state and national competition.

2020-21 Competition

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and the control measures mandated across Indiana, we’ve made the decision to move our Regional Discussion Meets to a virtual platform under the direction of Indiana Farm Bureau leadership. We believe the virtual competition will still meet the core competition objective to develop leaders for effective problem solving through group discussion. The first two rounds of the virtual competition will be held on Saturday, August 22^nd at 9:00 a.m. EST. Questions will be published via social media and emailed directly to competitors 12 hours prior to the Zoom Competition. Registration for this event will close on Monday, August 17^th at noon.

Registration

Click here to register for this year's Discussion Meet. Registrations must be received by Aug. 17 at noon.

Regional Discussion Meet: Rounds 1 & 2- Zoom Discussion Rooms

• Question for round is published 12 hours before Zoom competition.
• Questions will be published via social media and emailed directly to the competitors.
• Competitors, room chairs, room moderators, room timekeepers and judges enter Zoom video conference for brief virtual orientation one hour in advance.
• Zoom call is split into preassigned (selected at Random) Breakout Rooms – four competitors, three judges, one room chair, moderator and timekeeper each.
• Discussion Meet competitive event ensues in virtual fashion.
• Judges evaluate and score competitors using a provided rubric and tally sheet and submit scores. to Collegiate Discussion Meet Subcommittee and AFBF staff for inputting into scoring system.
• Top 16 competitors will advance to the Sweet 16 at State Convention.
• Competitors advancing will be announced approximately two hours after the competition is complete to allow for verification of results. 

Best Practices:

• Dress: Casual

• Pick an appropriate location for filming.
  • Good lighting
  • Not a lot of distracting noises
• Strong Wi-Fi signal
  • If possible, plug in to a wired internet source.
  • Ensure that others on your connection are not streaming at the same time as the competitive event to avoid lagging.
  • If you are having trouble finding a location with a strong signal, reach out to your Regional Manager for further suggestions
• Pay attention to your background
  • Will not be evaluated, but do your best to not make it a distraction.
    
• Quiet – prevent interruptions

• Headphones/earbuds are acceptable if they help minimize distractions and interruptions.

Regional Rounds (1&2):

These rounds will look similar to what the in-person competition would have. Competitors will be placed within a Zoom meeting with judges, a room chair and timekeeper. All will be muted upon entry. The room chair will draw for the order in which Opening and Closing Statements will be delivered. The room chair will have further specifics about how discussion will progress virtually. To minimize distraction, once discussion commences, the only individuals with video and audio on will be the competitors in the room and the room chair.

FAQ’s:

Q: What online platform will be used for the Regional Discussion Meet?

A: We will use Zoom as the online platform for the last two rounds of competition.

Q: How will the rounds be run?

A: We will set up four separate Zoom rooms/links for rounds one and two and each will be run/managed by a room chair just as in a normal competition. INFB staff/INFB YF&AP state committee members will be assigned to rooms to assist with any technical matters.

Q: What is the preferred dress for competitors?

A: We would ask that all competitors dress in casual wear just as they would have for the in-person Regional Discussion Meets.

Q: Will competitors be able to use earbuds or headphones during the rounds?

A: Yes, if competitors would prefer to use earbuds or headphones to help minimize distractions they may do so.

Q: Why are competitors drawing for opening and closing statement order?

A: We will have competitors draw for opening and closing statement order to improve the flow of the competition.

Q: Who will be allowed in the zoom rooms?

A: The Zoom rooms will contain four competitors, three judges, a Room Chair who will also serve as Timekeeper and Moderator, a Room Host to assist with technical matters, and one supporter or coach for each competitor.

Q: Will the contestants receive feedback from the judges?

A: Yes! We have created an online survey for judges to complete for each competitor they evaluate in each round. Like the in-person competitive event, this feedback will be compiled and distributed following the virtual event.

Q: How will the questions for Round One and Two be announced?

A: An email will be sent to all competitors 12 hours prior to the competition. If you would like someone else to be added to the list, please send their email address to brice@infb.org.

Q: Are props or visual aids allowed?

A: No props or visuals are allowed in any of the rounds. 

Prize information

The four state finalists receive plaques and recognition during the awards program at the State Convention. The state-level winner will receive a $4,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation Discussion Meet at the AFBF Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 8-13, 2021.

Discussion Meet Resources:

• Discussion Meet Best Practices
• Discussion Meet Tips
• Discussion Meet Prep Meeting
• Watch the 2020 AFBF YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet Final Four, featuring INFB member Grace Hasler, winner.
• Watch the 2020 AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four featuring Indiana's own Amie Osborn.
• 2019 AFBF Discussion Meet Training Calls and Webinars documents. Click here to listen to the calls. 

    2019 Winner: Amie Osborn