The Hoosier Farmer

Registration is now open for the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Discussion Meet. This year’s competition will take place Dec. 10-12 at the Indiana Ag Gathering in French Lick, presented by Indiana Farm Bureau.

The 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.

“Farm Bureau members gather around tables to engage in crucial conversations. We want our members to be confident in sharing their ideas, deliberating with peers, and discovering solutions for the future of agriculture,” said Dustin Homan, INFB leadership development coordinator.

Registration for the 2026 Discussion Meet is available through the general registration link for the Indiana Ag Gathering. Competitors will receive a complimentary two-night hotel stay. To find out the eligibility requirements and to register, as well as to find out more information about the Indiana Ag Gathering, follow the personalized registration link emailed to you. If you don’t have an email address or didn’t receive an email, visit infb.org/events and click on Indiana Ag Gathering.

Warrick County Farm Bureau member Logan Springstun earned the INFB Discussion Meet title in 2024. Prior to winning, he competed for several years at the state and collegiate level while attending Purdue.

“I can recall watching the final four as a young kid when state convention was in downtown Indy and always looking up to those individuals. Over the years I formed some good relationships with older and younger competitors. In a way, it was like a reunion seeing them at the state discussion meet,” he said.

Springstun said Discussion Meet is “literally just a conversation, there is no debating.”

“You’ve probably had many discussions like this before with friends or colleagues, it just wasn’t as structured or timed,” he said. “If you like agriculture and don’t mind talking to peers, then there are some really great perks and I would just encourage you to try it once and I bet you come back for a second year.”

Springstun said one of the biggest takeaways of the contest is that it challenges you to broaden your horizons.

“Winning just opened the doors to make more relationships with staff and members from across the state and country. Preparing for the different topics opened my eyes to the impacts Farm Bureau has at the state and national levels,” he said. “As my career progressed, I was so focused on a particular industry within agriculture that the different topics challenged me to stay more up to date on different aspects of agriculture that I normally wouldn’t have.”

The state Discussion Meet winner will receive $4,000 from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the 2027 American Farm Bureau Federation Discussion Meet at the national convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Jan. 8-13. The three runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and a plaque.

“The AFBF Discussion Meet and trip to Anaheim (earlier this year) was an incredible experience,” said Shelby County’s Megan Platt, who was last year’s INFB Discussion Meet winner. “Representing Indiana at the national level pushed me outside my comfort zone and allowed me to meet Farm Bureau members from across the country. The competition challenged me to listen, think quickly, and build off others’ ideas while working toward solutions.”

Platt said participating has empowered her and she feels more prepared to speak out about issues facing our producers, farmers, and ranchers. 

“Participating in the Discussion Meet has given me more confidence in my ability to speak up, have meaningful conversations, and work through different opinions to find solutions,” she said. “It has also pushed me to become more involved in Farm Bureau and opened doors to leadership opportunities and relationships I may not have otherwise had. Most importantly, it taught me that sometimes the best ideas come from simply being willing to listen and build off one another.”

A variety of materials are available at infb.org/YFAPDM to help potential competitors prepare for the competition.

The discussion questions used for state and AFBF Discussion Meet contests are the same. This year’s topics are:

• 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?
• 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? 
• 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? 
• 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? 
• 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?  

Contact Editor

Robert Herrington

(317) 692-7871

RHerrington@infb.org