Discussion Meet

The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Young Farmer program supports Young Farmer Discussion Meets at the district and state levels for eligible Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35. 

District finalists compete for the state title at MFB's annual meeting, and the state winner competes in the national contest at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting.

The Discussion Meet is one of the most popular Young Farmer activities. Beyond prestige and acclaim, state winners and finalists can earn high-value prizes from generous sponsor AIS Construction Equipment.  

What is a Discussion Meet?

The Discussion Meet is a contest where participants freely discuss a current topic affecting the agriculture industry while practicing their public speaking and analytical skills.

The discussion is not a debate but rather a way to share ideas, identify the cause and effect of a problem, and evaluate and compare alternative solutions. Participants should attempt to cooperatively share ideas and further develop their understanding of the topic/issue.

Components of a Discussion Meet

• The opening statement is 30 seconds. The statement should be broad in scope and show the relevancy and importance of the topic.
• The body of the discussion lasts 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, contestants have the freedom to talk about any part of the topic. It is recommended participants start the discussion by addressing the background of the topic, discussing why it is an issue, coming up with solutions to the issue, and sharing how they feel they can be a part of the solution.
• The closing statement is given at the end of the body of the discussion. Contestants are given one minute of quiet time to put their closing statements together. Closing statements summarize the discussion that took place during the body and make any final comments about the topic.

Scoring

Scoring is based on the following criteria:

• Opening statement
• Closing statement
• Delivery
• Problem solving
• Analysis of the topic
• Cooperative attitude

Check out the 2017 Discussion Meet Contest Guide for full explanation and instructions.