Michigan Farm Bureau hosts an annual discussion meet program for high school students, FFA, 4-H and Farm Bureau member dependents. Meets are designed to build students’ public speaking, collaboration and problem-solving skills, all while exposing them to agriculture’s challenges and the Farm Bureau organization.
Here are the times and locations for each FFA district:
- Dist. 1 — 5 p.m. Nov. 10 at Vicksburg High School
- Dist. 2 — 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at Springport High School
- Dist. 3 — 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Delta College
- Dist. 4 — 9 a.m. Oct. 1 at New Lothrop High School
- Dist. 5 — 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at Cedar Springs High School
- Dist. 6 — 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at Bay-Arenac Career Center
Registration is due one week prior to each regional event. Each FFA chapter, 4-H club and county Farm Bureau can register up to three competitors by completing the information here.
New this year:
- Regional winners will each receive a $50 cash prize.
- High School Discussion Meet questions have been predetermined for each round, to make the event less intimidating for first-time competitors and increase the depth of content shared during each round.
- Tables will be arranged to mimic more of a committee meeting than a panel, with students facing each other and judges remaining in the audience.
County Farm Bureau members interested in supporting their nearby discussion meet are encouraged to contact their MFB Regional Manager or Katie Eisenberger to serve as a judge or timekeeper.
To assist in preparation, students may download a topic worksheet, read through the competition guide and watch examples of past discussion meets on the MFB Discussion Meet page.
The top three competitors of each district will compete Nov. 30 at MFB’s State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by DTE Energy and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, the winner will receive a cash prize of $250; second place earns $150.
2022 Regional Questions
- Round One — How can organizations such as FFA, 4-H, and Farm Bureau work with industry partners to help high school students learn about, gain access to and incorporate emerging technologies into their agriscience programs and individual projects?
- Round Two — According to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, currently 15% of Michigan residents and 18% of all children are considered food insecure. What role can high school students play to help combat food insecurity in their communities and throughout Michigan?
- Round Three — Focusing on careers in agriculture, what resources and opportunities are needed to recruit and retain high school students not enrolled in agriscience CTE programs or 4-H clubs?
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