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What does it take to do well in the Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Discussion Meet?

According to Virgil Bremer and Beth Archer, both veteran discussion meet judges, the answer to this question can be summed up as “preparation,” but they added preparation goes beyond simply studying up on the current year’s topics.

Encouraging a meaningful exchange of views among the other competitors is as important as demonstrating command over the subject matter, noted Archer, executive director of AgrIInstitute, a leadership development program focused on Indiana agriculture.

As a judge, what Archer asks herself is, “Are they asking good questions of those involved? Are they trying to gain insight into the other person’s views? Are they really trying to better understand why that person’s view is the way it is?”

Just as important is making Farm Bureau part of the discussion, said Bremer, president of the Rush County Farm Bureau.

“You need to remember Farm Bureau – what action Farm Bureau needs to take. And that’s where some contestants fall down,” he said.

The two judges offered a few tips to prospective competitors:

• Remember that the discussion meet is not a debate. The goal is to build consensus, find commonality and suggest steps to take in the future.
• Research the current year’s topics, but don’t try to go it alone, Bremer said. Competitors should take their research a step further and have conversations about the issues with peers and ag thought leaders, which will help the competitor better realize the complexities of a given topic.
• Remember that part of every discussion needs to be taking what the group has learned and suggesting what Farm Bureau should do with it.
• Archer had a few specific suggestions for the opening rounds, which will once again be held virtually. Participants need to have as good of an internet connection as possible and to reduce distractions. But aside from those basics, she said, it’s really important to use eye contact and non-verbal signals to stay connected to the other competitors as much as possible.

 “The ultimate goal is that they’re better advocates for the organization and the industry,” said Archer. The experience, she added, is “incredibly valuable whether they win or lose.”

For Bremer, the end goal of the program is developing new ideas, implementing those ideas and developing Farm Bureau leadership.

“In the end, you’re looking for leadership that they’ve developed in the process,” he said.

The early rounds of the Indiana YF&AP Discussion Meet will be held virtually starting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 21. The top 16 competitors will advance to the final two rounds, to be held at INFB’s 2021 convention, planned for Dec. 9-10 in French Lick.