Discussion Meet

The Farm Bureau Discussion Meet is an annual competition designed to help young farmers and 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.

Registration for the 2026 Discussion Meet will be available through the general Ag Gathering (formerly INFB State Convention) registration. 

2026 Competition

This year’s competition will take place Dec. 10-12, 2026 at the Indiana Ag Gathering in French Lick.

• All Discussion Meet competitors will be reimbursed by INFB for their hotel accommodations for Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 (two nights, new in 2026). 
• Round 1 will take place Thursday evening, Dec. 10; Rounds 2 and the semi-final will take place on Friday, Dec. 11 (announcement of the final four competitors is planned for around lunchtime on Friday); and the final round will take place on Saturday, Dec. 12. This is a new schedule for 2026. 
  

If you are interested in participating in the 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. 

1. Growth in rural areas can strain rural energy infrastructure. How can Farm Bureau work with stakeholders to advocate for proactive planning at the local, state and national levels that safeguards affordable, reliable energy access for farmers and ranchers as well as their rural neighbors while protecting farmland from unnecessary eminent domain?
2. Rural and large animal veterinary practices and professionals continue to decrease in numbers across the country. How can Farm Bureau help attract and retain rural and large animal veterinarians for member communities?
3. With the continued ripple effect of supply chain challenges related to meat processing, how can Farm Bureau leverage its grassroots network to reduce barriers and create pathways for the development of local USDA certified meat processing?
4. How can Farm Bureau and its young leaders leverage relationships with agricultural youth organizations to attract more young leaders to the Young Farmers & Ranchers program?
5. Increased public concern over healthy diets and chronic childhood disease has raised questions, as well as criticism, about modern agriculture and the food system. How can Farm Bureau effectively engage in this discussion and advocate for the critical science-based tools and research farmers need to fulfill their commitment to grow healthy, sustainable food, fiber and fuel? 

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 Charlotte, North Carolina, Jan. 8-11, 2027. The three runners-up will receive a $1,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a plaque and recognition during the INFB Ag Gathering. 

2026 Discussion Meet Question Preparation

The AFBF YF&R committee will once again host Zoom trainings to help competitors prepare for the state and national Discussion Meet (DM). The first DM training will have a competition overview with a previous national winner and will focus on one of the five questions.  The two additional trainings will focus on the remaining four DM questions and will feature experts on the question topics.

Register for the free virtual trainings below:

1. Tuesday, September 8, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern – DM #1: Registration link
2. Tuesday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern – DM #2: Registration link
3. Tuesday, September 22, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern – DM #3: Registration link

General Discussion Meet Resources:

• Competitors Manual 
• Discussion Meet Overview (Watch first 30 minutes)
  
• Discussion Meet Best Practices
• Discussion Meet Tips
• Examples of Opening Statements from 2025 INFB YF&AP Discussion Meet
• 2022 Mock Discussion Meet, a short example of the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet process featuring members of the YF&AP State Committee. 
• Watch the 2026 AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four (scroll to the Discussion Meet section of the webpage).