About Discussion Meets
The Discussion Meet is one of the highlights of the State Annual Meeting each year. The meet features three competition brackets: Young Farmers, Collegiate and High School.
Sponsored by the Michigan Farm Bureau State Young Farmer Committee at the District and State level and the AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee at the National Level, the Discussion Meet program started in 1948.
The purpose of the Meets is to allow for discussion and an exchange of ideas on topics facing agriculture and its future. 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. The winner of each meet receives a cash prize and advances to national-level competitions.
Young Farmer Meet - Tuesday, Nov. 29
Registration
8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Secchia Lobby for nametag, then Grand Gallery for DM
Competitors' Briefing
10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Grand Gallery Room E
Sweet 16, Round 1
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-D
Sweet 16, Round 2
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-D
Final Four Announcement
3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery
Final Four Meet
7:00 p.m.
During Leadership Banquet
Meet Winner Announced
During Leadership Banquet
District 1
- Emily Swift, St. Joseph
- Marcia Cripps, St. Joseph
District 2
- Chris Sanford, Jackson
- Kelsie Letts, Calhoun
District 3
- Chad Fusilier, Washtenaw
- Melissa Fusilier, Washtenaw
- Travis Fusilier, Washtenaw
District 5
- Andrew Braun, Clinton
- Emily Calderone, Ingham
- Kaddi Gewirtz, Shiawassee
- Katelyn Thompson, Eaton
District 6
- Darcy Lipskey, Sanilac
- Jake Bushey, Huron
District 7
- Elizabeth Wernette, Mecosta
District 9
- Madeleine Smeltzer, Benzie-Manistee
District 10
- Sarah Hollon, Clare
District 2
- Chris Sanford, Jackson
District 5
- Emily Calderone, Ingham
- Katelyn Thompson, Eaton
District 6
- Darcy Lipskey, Sanilac
District 5
- Emily Calderone, Ingham
- Advancements in autonomous equipment and drone technology offer solutions to challenges farmers and ranchers have faced for years. How can Farm Bureau improve access to, and help farmers and ranchers deploy, these emerging technologies on their operations?
- Climate has become a major topic among business leaders, policymakers and consumers. As an industry that depends on the weather, what role do we as farmers and ranchers play in shaping climate initiatives to benefit society overall as well as our own farms and ranches?
- How can Farm Bureau effectively support and equip young farmers and ranchers to successfully manage economic and infrastructure challenges to ensure healthy and sustainable farms and ranches across the country?
The winner of MFB’s 2022 Young Farmer Discussion Meet receives $2,000, sponsored by AIS Equipment, and will represent Michigan at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet in San Juan, Puerto Rico in January. The prizes for the Final Four are provided by by Grainger, Michigan Farm Bureau Health Services and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
Collegiate Meet - Wednesday, Nov. 30
Registration
8 a.m. to 8:15 a.m
Grand Gallery
Briefing
8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Room D
Discussion Meet Round 1
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Discussion Meet Round 2
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Final Six Announcement
10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Final Six Round
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms AB
Meet Winner Announced
During Member Engagement Lunch
Kellogg Collegiate FB
- Ryan Sturgeon, Calhoun
- Breanne Reif, Hlllsdale
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Emma Barnum, Ingham
- Andrew Smith, Huron
- Brianna Hill, Kent
- Corbin Haak, Genesee
Montcalm Collegiate FB
- Tanner Carr, Montcalm
- Emily German, Kent
- Olivia Caine, Kent
- Dylan Knauf, Kent
Delta Collegiate FB
- Audrey Martin, Saginaw
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Emma Barnum, Ingham
- Andrew Smith, Huron
- Brianna Hill, Kent
- Corbin Haak, Genesee
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Emma Barnum, Ingham
Runner-up:
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Andrew Smith, Huron
- Due to current economic demands, many farmers and ranchers spend a lot of time outside the “fence rows” on off-farm jobs. How can Farm Bureau become more accessible and welcoming to members who are working in related fields and juggling responsibilities on and off the farm?
- Advancements in autonomous equipment and drone technology offer solutions to challenges farmers and ranchers have faced for years. How can Farm Bureau improve access to, and help farmers and ranchers deploy, these emerging technologies on their operations?
- How can Farm Bureau effectively support and equip young farmers and ranchers to successfully manage economic and infrastructure challenges to ensure healthy and sustainable farms and ranches across the country?
Third Place will receive a $200 cash prize, Collegiate Farm Bureau gift package and plaque. The state runner-up will receive a $300 cash prize, Collegiate Farm Bureau gift package and plaque. The state winner will receive $500, Collegiate Farm Bureau polo, gift package, plaque and an all-expenses paid trip for them and a guest to the 2023 American Farm Bureau FUSION Conference March 2nd-6th in Jacksonville, Florida to represent Michigan at the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet Competition. All prizes are courtesy of the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
High School Meet - Wednesday, Nov. 30
Registration
8 a.m. to 8:15 a.m
Grand Gallery
Briefing
8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Room B
Discussion Meet Round 1
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Discussion Meet Round 2
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Final Six Announcement
10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms A-E
Final Six Round
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grand Gallery Rooms DE
Meet Winner Announced
During Member Engagement Lunch
Olivet FFA
- Sydney Monahan, Eaton
Marshall FFA
- Karlie Goble, Calhoun
Van Buren Tech Center FFA
- Kailee Logan, Van Buren
Whiteford FFA
- Kenzie Gray, Monroe
- Erica Holup, Monroe
Milan FFA
- Peter Pena, Washtenaw
Ithaca FFA
- Brent DeSaegher, Gratiot
Sanilac FFA
- Peyton Prowse, Sanilac
- Makayla Blashill, Sanilac
Mason FFA
- William Barnum, Ingham
New Lothrop FFA
- Reece Eustace, Shiawassee
Perry FFA
- Ava Hendricks, Shiawassee
Ionia FFA
- Cassidy Cashen, Ionia
Montcalm Area Career Center FFA
- Lauren Gorsuch, Montcalm
Grand River 4-H
- Lauren North, Ottawa
Clare-Gladwin FFA
- Rylee Camcross, Clare-Gladwin
Stall Stompers 4-H Club
- Jenna Miller, Bay
Hide-N-Hare 4-H Club
- Madison Forfinski, Clare
Ionia FFA
- Cassidy Cashen, Ionia
Ithaca FFA
- Brent DeSaegher, Gratiot
Perry FFA
- Ava Hendricks, Shiawassee
Sanilac FFA
- Makayla Blashill, Sanilac
Mason FFA
- William Barnum, Ingham
Whiteford FFA
- Erica Holup, Monroe
Perry FFA
- Ava Hendricks, Shiawassee
Runner-up:
Ionia FFA
- Cassidy Cashen, Ionia
- 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?
- Less than 2% of the United States population is directly involved with agriculture. In order to bridge the gap, how can we diversify and be inclusive of non-traditional agriculture and urban communities to engage with agriculture?
- 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?
The winner of the High School meet receives $250 in cash and a plaque while the runner-up receives $150 and a plaque. The prizes are provided by DTE Energy and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
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