How can organizations like 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?
Ever thought about who will be speaking on behalf of agriculture in 10, 20 or 30 years? Discussion meets, whether at the high school, Collegiate or Young Farmer level, help prepare future leaders to speak on behalf of the industry.
High-schoolers across Michigan will tackle this question in the first round of their regional discussion meet competitions this fall.
Each year Michigan Farm Bureau hosts the High School Discussion Meet program for high school FFA, 4-H and Farm Bureau member dependents across the state. Their purpose? To build students’ public speaking, collaboration and problem-solving skills, while exposing them to agriculture’s biggest challenges and the Farm Bureau organization.
Questions are predetermined for each round and shared with all high school competitors to allow students time to research and feel confident going into the event.
Each FFA chapter, 4-H club, and county Farm Bureau can register up to three competitors by completing the information here. Registration is due one week prior to the regional level competition date:
- Region 1 — 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at Vicksburg High School
- Region 2 — 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at Milan High School
- Region 3 — 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at Delta College
- Region 4 — 9 a.m. Sept. 30 at Perry High School
- Region 5 — 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Cedar Springs High School
- Region 6 — date & time TBD at Bay-Arenac Career Center
County Farm Bureau members interested in supporting their nearby discussion meet as a judge or timekeeper should contact their MFB Regional Manager or Katie Eisenberger.
To assist in preparation, students may download a topic worksheet, read through the competition guide as well as watch examples of past discussion meets at our Discussion Meet page.
The top three competitors of each district will compete Nov. 29 at MFB’s 2023 State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by DTE Energy and the Michigan Foundation of Agriculture, the winner will receive a cash prize of $250; second place earns $150.
Now, try your hand at the two other regional questions with a family member or fellow county Farm Bureau member!
Round 1 Question: Production agriculture requires a lot of capital. Young agriculturalists face challenges gaining access to the capital they need to start or grow their operations. What tools are currently available, and what new programs could be introduced, to help young people access financial resources — and make sound financial decisions — to run their farms and ag business operations?
Round 2 Question: Farmers and ag business professionals across the country are diverse in not only the goods they produce, but also in the ways they raise and market them. How can organizations like Farm Bureau, FFA and 4-H further welcome and engage diverse agricultural communities and cultivate dynamic agricultural leaders?
