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.
Register for the Discussion Meet through the general convention registration link until December 6.
2023-24 Competition
This year’s competition will take place December 14-15, 2023 at the Indiana Farm Bureau state convention in Fort Wayne.
- All Discussion Meet competitors will be reimbursed by INFB for their hotel accommodations and meals for Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.
- The first round of the competition is tentatively set for Thursday, Dec. 14 and the second round will follow.
- The Sweet 16 and Final Four rounds will take place on Friday, Dec. 15 and the winner announced later in the day.
If you are interested in participating in the 2023-24 Discussion Meet, we encourage you to read the
eligibility requirements and AFBF questions for this year's competition.
Winners of the INFB Excellence in Agriculture Award and Achievement Award are not eligible to compete in the discussion meet.
Each year, the American Farm Bureau Federation develops five questions for which contestants will be asked to prepare answers. These questions are used during the state and national competitions and can be found below.
- Production agriculture requires a lot of capital. Young farmers and ranchers face challenges gaining access to the capital they need to start or grow their operations. What tools are currently available, and what new programs could be introduced, to help young people access financial resources—and make sound financial decisions—to run their farms and ranches?
- Working with elected officials, in all levels of government, is critical to advancing public policy that supports farmers and ranchers. How can Farm Bureau help elected leaders better understand the challenges of the agriculture sector and the importance of supporting the financial viability of America’s family farms and ranches?
- What is sustainable agriculture and how can Farm Bureau help farmers and ranchers access market-based solutions that advance sustainability goals without restricting their ability to stock America’s pantries, help feed a growing population and maintain farm profitability?
- Farmers and ranchers across the country are diverse in not only the goods they produce, but also in the ways they raise and market them. Farm Bureau’s role is to broadly represent all producers. How can our organization further welcome and engage diverse agricultural communities and cultivate dynamic future Farm Bureau leaders?
- Agriculture uses water for everything from growing crops, raising livestock and moving products to and from farms and ranches. Water issues are often hotly debated, are unique to each region and can pose significant challenges to growers. How can
Farm Bureau help address water management challenges and seek long term solutions for farmers and ranchers?
Registration
Register for the Discussion Meet through the general convention registration link until December 6.
Prize information
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 Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 12-16. The three runners-up will receive a $1,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a plaque and recognition during the INFB State Convention.
Discussion Meet Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Discussion Meet Overview
- Discussion Meet Deep Dive 1.0
- Discussion Meet Deep Dive 2.0
- Discussion Meet Deep Dive 3.0
- Discussion Meet Best Practices
- Discussion Meet Tips
- 2022 Mock Discussion Meet, a short example of the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet process featuring members of the YF&AP State Committee.
- Watch the 2023 AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four, featuring Rachel Hyde, Hamilton County INFB member (scroll to the Discussion Meet section
of the webpage).
2022 Winner: Rachel Hyde
