Discussion Meet

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.

Registration for the 2025-2026 Discussion Meet is available through the general Ag Gathering (formerly INFB State Convention) registration. 

2025-26 Competition

This year’s competition will take place December 12-13, 2025 at the Indiana Ag Gathering in French Lick.

• All Discussion Meet competitors will be reimbursed by INFB for their hotel accommodations for Dec. 12.
• Rounds 1, 2 and the semi-final round will take place on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13.
  

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. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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?

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 Anaheim, CA, Jan. 9-14,. 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. 

2025-26 Discussion Meet Question Preparation

The AFBF YF&R committee once again hosted Zoom trainings to help competitors prepare for the state and national Discussion Meet (DM). The first two trainings focused on the four DM questions and featured experts on the question topics. The last DM training featured an expert on the final question and ended with a question-and-answer portion.

Click on the links below to watch the recordings:

• Tuesday, September 9 – DM #1: Webinar recording link
• Tuesday, September 16 – DM #2: Webinar recording link
• Tuesday, September 30 - DM #3: Webinar recording link and Planning the Future of your Farm resource

General Discussion Meet Resources:

• Competitors Manual 
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Discussion Meet Overview
  
• 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 2025 AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four (scroll to the Discussion Meet section of the webpage).