Michigan Farm Bureau Discussion Meets simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.
Michigan Farm Bureau hosts Young Farmer Discussion Meets for 18- to 35-year-old members and Youth and Collegiate Discussion Meets to introduce young leaders to the organization.
2023 Young Farmer Discussion Meet Information
- Guidebook
DISTRICT 1
Event Date: March 11
Location: Griner Farms, 13120 Born St, Jones, MI
Regional Manager: Sarah Pion
Counties in Region: Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren
Details: Discussion Meet, chili cook-off, and belt sander racing. Chili cook-off starts at 4:00 p.m. with the Discussion Meet beginning at 5:30 p.m.
DISTRICT 2
Event Date: April 14
Location: Hillsdale Brewing Company, 25 Hillsdale St, Hillsdale, MI
Regional Manager: Kim Kerr
Counties in Region: Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee
Details: Discussion Meet at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and axe throwing to follow.
DISTRICT 3
Event Date: March 24
Location: Brighton Equestrian Club, 7318 Herbst Rd, Brighton MI
Regional Manager: Hannah Meyers
Counties in Region: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne
Details: Event begins at 6:00 p.m. with the Discussion Meet starting at 6:45 p.m. Dinner will be provided.
DISTRICT 4
Event Date: March 16
Location: Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery, 3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Regional Manager: Lori Schrauben
Counties in Region: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Ottawa
DISTRICT 5
Event Date: April 15
Location: Jackson Field, 505 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI
Regional Manager: Nicole Jennings
Counties in Region: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Shiawassee
Details: Discussion Meet begins at 4:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and a Lansing Lugnuts game to follow.
DISTRICT 6
Event Date: March 16
Location: Frankenmuth Brewery - Lake View Room, 425 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI
Regional Manager: Laken Polega
Counties in Region: Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola
Details: Event starts at 6:30 p.m. with an optional tour of Star of the West Milling Co. in Frankenmuth at 4:00 p.m.
DISTRICT 7
Event Date: March 31
Location: Voelker Bros Equipment, 18780 Northland Dr, Big Rapids, MI
Regional Manager: Bridget Silvernail
Counties in Region: Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola
Details: Event begins at 6:30 p.m.
DISTRICT 8
Event Date: March 16
Location: Frankenmuth Brewery - Lake View Room, 425 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI
Regional Manager: Alex Schunk
Counties in Region: Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw
Details: Event starts at 6:30 p.m. with an optional tour of Star of the West Milling Co. in Frankenmuth at 4:00 p.m.
DISTRICT 9
Event Date: April 16
Location: Lucky Jack's Bowling Center, 1705 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686
Regional Manager: Kelsee Steenwyk
Counties in Region: Benzie-Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, NW Michigan, Wexford
Details: Event takes place between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
DISTRICT 10
Event Date: June 3
Location: Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W Fletcher St, Alpena, MI 49707
Regional Manager: Sonya Novotny
Counties in Region: Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Huron Shores, Iosco, Ogemaw
DISTRICT 11
Event Date: March 15
Location: Tuscarora Township Hall, 3546 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Regional Manager: Matt Frollo
Counties in Region: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Otsego, Presque Isle
Details: Event begins at 6:00 p.m.
DISTRICT 12
Event Date: March 16
Location: Bay College Escanaba, 2001 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI
Regional Manager: Craig Knudson
Counties in Region: Copper Country, Chippewa, Hiawathaland, Iron Range, Mac-Luce-Schoolcraft, Menominee
Details: Event begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided.
- Production agriculture requires a lot of capital. Young farmers and ranchers 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 ranches? This question will be used at all district discussion meets.
- Working with elected officials, in all levels of government, is critical to advancing public policy that supports farmers and ranchers. How can Farm Bureau help elected leaders better understand the challenges of the agriculture sector and the importance of supporting the financial viability of America’s family farms and ranches? This is the back-up question at district discussion meets, if a second round is needed.
- What is sustainable agriculture and how can Farm Bureau help farmers and ranchers access market-based solutions that advance sustainability goals without restricting their ability to stock America’s pantries, help feed a growing population and maintain farm profitability?
- Farmers and ranchers across the country are diverse in not only the goods they produce, but also in the ways they raise and market them. Farm Bureau’s role is to broadly represent all producers. How can our organization further welcome and engage diverse agricultural communities and cultivate dynamic future Farm Bureau leaders?
- Agriculture uses water for everything from growing crops, raising livestock and moving products to and from farms and ranches. Water issues are often hotly debated, are unique to each region and can pose significant challenges to growers. How can Farm Bureau help address water management challenges and seek long term solutions for farmers and ranchers?
All questions will be used during the State Discussion Meet, two during Preliminary Rounds, two during Sweet Sixteen and one for the Final Round.
2023 Collegiate Discussion Meet Information
The following links provide reliable resources and information you may find helpful as you prepare:
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Farm Bureau Education & Leadership
- Michigan Farm Bureau Political Action
- Michigan Farm News
- Michigan Grown, Michigan Great
- Michigan State University Extension
All registered Collegiate Farm Bureau members who are between the ages of 18 and 35 and are undergraduate status at the time of the state competition are eligible to compete. Competitors must be 18 and cannot be 36 by the last day of February 2024. Full eligibility requirements can be found in the Collegiate Discussion Meet Guidebook.
Each Collegiate chapter can register up to five competitors. There is not an official chapter level discussion meet requirement, but for those chapters who verify they held a discussion meet event/training, a $100 cash prize will be sent to the chapter to utilize for reimbursement of event supplies, expenses incurred in preparation for the State Discussion Meet, or other chapter programming at the discretion of the Collegiate Chapter Advisor.
The State Competition is held on Wednesday, November 29th during the Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. MI. Collegiate members can register by clicking here and completing the online form by November 15th.
Register Now
The state winner will receive $500, a Collegiate Farm Bureau polo, plaque and an all-expenses paid trip for them and a guest to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Conference March 8-11th in Omaha, NE to represent Michigan at the AFBF National Collegiate Discussion Meet Competition.
Check back for more conference information this winter.
2023 High School Discussion Meet Information
The following links provide reliable resources and information you may find helpful as you prepare:
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Farm Bureau Education & Leadership
- Michigan Farm Bureau Political Action
- Michigan Farm News
- Michigan Grown, Michigan Great
- Michigan State University Extension
All high school students who are FFA members, 4-H members, and/or dependents of Michigan Farm Bureau members, except past Michigan Farm Bureau High School Discussion Meet state winners, are eligible to compete. Each regional competition is based on FFA regional boundaries and hosted by FFA chapters.
Each FFA chapter, 4-H club and county Farm Bureau can send up to three competitors to compete in the regional competition. Competitors may only compete in one regional competition per year. The top three individuals from each regional competition will move on to the state competition at the Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 29th in Grand Rapids, MI.
Register Now
Online registration must be completed one week prior to the competition date. If you have any questions about registration or Discussion Meets in general, please contact Katie Eisenberger.
REGION I
Event Date: Nov. 13, 5:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 6
Location: Vicksburg High School
Counties in Region: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Eaton, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren
REGION II
Event Date: Nov. 9, 6:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 2
Location: Milan High School
Counties in Region: Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne
REGION III
Event Date: Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 1
Location: Delta College
Counties in Region: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola
REGION IV
Event Date: Sept. 30, 9:00 a.m.
Registration Due Date: Sept. 22
Location: Perry High School
Counties in Region: Clinton, Genesee, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Shiawassee, and St. Clair
REGION V
Event Date: Nov. 8, 4:00 p.m.
Registration Due Date: Nov. 1
Location: Cedar Springs High School
Counties in Region: Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceania, Osceola, and Ottawa
REGION VI
Event Date: TBD
Registration Due Date: TBD
Location: Bay Arenac Career Center
Counties in Region: 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
If you are a high school regional finalist, please click here to register for the state competition by November 15th.
Check out our training videos and discussion examples
at the Michigan Farm Bureau YouTube page!
Thank you to our Discussion Meet Sponsors
