Also competing in the final round were Hayley Cary and Emily Mutschler, both of Montcalm Community College. All four competitors are Collegiate Farm Bureau members and enrolled in MSU’s Institute of Agricultural Technology at their respective schools. 

With the onset of COVID-19 and the continued necessity for in-person events to pivot to virtual, Michigan Farm Bureau made the decision to provide a virtual Discussion Meet experience for the 2020 contest year.  The opening round allowed all registered Collegiate Farm Bureau members to submit a 3- to 5-minute video response to the following question:  

• Is big data a big solution or big exposure? Technology tools are often cited as a method of increasing productivity and profitability, but there are liabilities that go along with technology. As young farmers and ranchers we are often first adopters. How do we ensure clear understanding of the risks and rewards of big data and smart farming?

The top four competitors moved on to compete in a virtual Final Four discussion on Nov. 10 that was livestreamed on MFB’s Facebook page. The four competitors spent 20 minutes discussing the following question: 

• The decline in rural populations is accelerated by a poor farm economy. What solutions would enhance the vibrancy and economic sustainability of agriculture and rural communities? 

Farm Bureau discussion meets test young leaders with a unique public speaking challenge; participants are rewarded for their knowledge of current agricultural issues, their cooperative demeanor, innovative problem solving and the tact and civility of their delivery. As the contest moderators explain in their opening remarks, these are discussions, not debates. 

The first- and second-place winners took home $250 and $150 cash prizes, respectively, provided by the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. The state winner will compete in the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion held in early spring 2021 courtesy of the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.