Michigan Farm Bureau is excited to again bring Discussion Meets to high schools statewide. High School Discussion Meets help students sharpen their communication and leadership skills while tackling some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges.
The discussion meets are open to students in grades 9-12 who are active in FFA, 4-H, or are Farm Bureau dependent members.
Designed to simulate a committee meeting where active participation is vital, Discussion Meet participants are evaluated on how they engage in thoughtful, diplomatic conversations on important agricultural issues, honing their discussion and collaboration skills.
The top three competitors in each region will each earn a $50 cash prize and advance to the state-level High School Discussion Meet, Dec. 3, during MFB’s State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Students should pre-register through Michigan Farm Bureau.
Each competitor will take part in two rounds of discussion at their regional competition, with the top six students advancing to the final round. This year’s regional-level questions include:
- Round One: As more land is used for housing, stores and roads, there’s less space for farming. What are some creative ways we could grow more food using less land? And how can farmers and communities work together to make land-use decisions that benefit both?
- Round Two: Farmers work hard to protect the land, water and animals they depend on — while also keeping their farms successful. What are some ways they can care for the environment and still run a strong, profitable farm? And how can farmers and ag supporters share these ideas with others to help more people use them?
- Final Round: What are some challenges facing farmers or agriculture in your community? Suppose your youth organization wanted to make a difference or create change. What strategies could you use to raise awareness, organize support and connect with local, state or national leaders?
2025 Regional High School Discussion Meets
- Region I (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Eaton, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties) — 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at Vicksburg High School; register by Nov. 7
Region II (Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties) — 6 p.m Nov. 6 at Milan High School; register by Oct. 28 - Region III (Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties) — 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at Delta College; register by Nov. 4
- Region IV (Clinton, Genesee, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Shiawassee and St. Clair counties) — 9 a.m. Oct. 4 at Corunna High School; register by Sept. 24
- Region V (Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa counties) — 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Ravenna High School; register by Oct. 3
- Region VI (Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iosco, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft and Wexford counties) — 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Magnus Center in Harrison; register by Nov. 3
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