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 Preliminary Rounds - Friday, Nov. 10 (Virtual)
District 1
- Drew Bordner, St. Joseph
- Emily Swift, St. Joseph
- Mark Trowbridge, St. Joseph
- Morgan Walton, St. Joseph
District 2
- Matt Hensley, Lenawee
- Kelsie Letts, Calhoun
- Charles Loveland, Jackson
District 3
- Matt Dejonge, Washtenaw
- Erica Drake, Washtenaw
- Melissa Fusilier, Washtenaw
- Travis Fusilier, Washtenaw
District 4
- Haleigh Austin, Kent
- Tyler Hendrickson, Ottawa
- Sam Ludlam, Ottawa
- Zoey Zupin, Kent
District 5
- Nate Scovill, Shiawassee
- Kylie Thompson, Eaton
District 6
- John Bowsky, Sanilac
- Darcy Lipskey, Sanilac
- Madison Zimmer, Tuscola
District 7
- Amanda Goodfellow, Mecosta
- Dirk Okkema, Mecosta
- Eric Voelker, Mecosta
- Beth Wernette, Mecosta
District 8
- Joshua Haubenstricker, Saginaw
- Riley Travis, Isabella
District 9
- Madeleine Smeltzer, Wexford
- Jordan Smith, Missaukee
Want to tune in? Register by clicking on the room link for each room you’d like to watch.
ROUND 1
- Drew Bordner, District 1, St. Joseph
- Sam Ludlam, District 4, Ottawa
- John Bowsky, District 6, Sanilac
- Dirk Okkema, District 7, Mecosta
- Jordan Smith, District 9, Missaukee
- Kelsie Letts, District 2, Calhoun
- Melissa Fusilier, District 3, Washtenaw
- Kylie Thompson, District 5, Eaton
- Darcy Lipskey, District 6, Sanilac
- Madeleine Smeltzer, District 9, Wexford
- Emily Swift, District 1, St. Joseph
- Charles Loveland, District 2, Jackson
- Eric Voelker, District 7, Mecosta
- Riley Travis, District 8, Isabella
- Mark Trowbridge, District 1, St. Joseph
- Erica Drake, District 3, Washtenaw
- Tyler Hendrickson, District 4, Ottawa
- Beth Wernette, District 7, Mecosta
- Joshua Haubenstricker, District 8, Saginaw
- Travis Fusilier, District 3, Washtenaw
- Haleigh Austin, District 4, Kent
- Nate Scovill, District 5, Shiawassee
- Amanda Goodfellow, District 7, Mecosta
- Morgan Walton, District 1, St. Joseph
- Matt Hensley, District 2, Lenawee
- Matt Dejonge, District 3, Washtenaw
- Zoey Zupin, District 4, Kent
- Madison Zimmer, District 6, Tuscola
ROUND 2
- Mark Trowbridge, District 1, St. Joseph
- Matt Dejonge, District 3, Washtenaw
- Haleigh Austin, District 4, Kent
- Darcy Lipskey, District 6, Sanilac
- Eric Voelker, District 7, Mecosta
- Matt Hensley, District 4, Lenawee
- Erica Drake, District 3, Washtenaw
- Sam Ludlam, District 4, Ottawa
- Amanda Goodfellow, District 7, Mecosta
- Melissa Fusilier, District 3, Washtenaw
- Nate Scovill, District 5, Shiawassee
- Madison Zimmer, District 6, Tuscola
- Beth Wernette, District 7, Mecosta
- Jordan Smith, District 9, Missaukee
- Emily Swift, District 1, St. Joseph
- Kelsie Letts, District 2, Calhoun
- Travis Fusilier, District 3, Washtenaw
- Zoey Zupin, District 4, Kent
- John Bowsky, District 6, Sanilace
- Morgan Walton, District 1, St. Joseph
- Charles Loveland, District 2, Jackson
- Kylie Thompson, District 5, Eaton
- Dirk Okkema, District 7, Mecosta
- Joshua Haubenstricker, District 8, Saginaw
- Drew Bordner, District 1, St. Joseph
- Tyler Hendrickson, District 4, Ottawa
- Riley Travis, District 8, Isabella
- Madeleine Smeltzer, District 9, Wexford
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Preliminary Round 1
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Rooms A, B, C
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Preliminary Round 1
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Virtual Rooms D, E, F
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Preliminary Round 2
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Virtual Rooms A, B, C
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Preliminary Round 2
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Virtual Rooms D, E, F
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Sweet 16 Announcement
7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Live on MFB Facebook page
- 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?
- 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?
Young Farmer Meet — Tuesday, Nov. 28 - Wednesday Nov. 29
Registration
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery
Competitors' Briefing
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery
Sweet 16, Round 1
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-D
Sweet 16, Round 2
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-D
Networking with Sponsors
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery Overlook
Final Four Announcement
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
During Leadership Dessert Banquet, DeVos Ballroom BCD
Final Four Meet
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
During Breakfast, DeVos Ballroom BCD
Meet Winner Announced
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
During Member Engagement Lunch, DeVos Ballroom BCD
District 1
- Drew Bordner, St. Joseph
- Mark Trowbridge, St. Joseph
- Morgan Walton, St. Joseph
District 2
- Matt Hensley, Lenawee
- Charles Loveland, Jackson
District 3
- Matt DeJonge, Washtenaw
- Melissa Fusilier, Washtenaw
District 4
- Sam Ludlam, Ottawa
- Zoey Zupin, Kent
District 5
- Nate Scoville, Shiawassee
District 6
- John Bowsky, Sanilac
- Darcy Lipskey, Sanilac
District 7
- Amanda Goodfellow, Mecosta
- Beth Wernette, Mecosta
District 8
- Riley Travis, Isabella
District 9
- Madeleine Smeltzer, Wexford
District 2
- Matt Hensley, Lenawee
District 4
- Sam Ludlam, Ottawa
District 7
- Beth Wernette, Mecosta
District 9
- Madeleine Smeltzer, Wexford
District 7
- Beth Wernette, Mecosta
The winner of MFB’s 2023 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 Salt Lake City, Utah 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. 29
Delta Collegiate FB
- Audrey Martin, Midland
Montcalm Collegiate FB
- Carl Seidelman, Ionia
- Benjamin Cary, Gratiot
- Victoria Caine, Kent
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Mackenzie Strong, Gratiot
Muskegon Collegiate FB
- Samantha Van Dort, Ottawa
ROUND 1
Grand Gallery A
- Audrey Martin
- Carl Seidelman
- Benjamin Cary
- Victoria Caine
- Mackenzie Strong
- Samantha Van Dort
ROUND 2
Grand Gallery A
- Audrey Martin
- Carl Seidelman
- Benjamin Cary
- Victoria Caine
- Mackenzie Strong
- Samantha Van Dort
Registration
8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m
DeVos Grand Gallery
Competitors' Briefing
8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery D
Discussion Meet Round 1
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-E
Discussion Meet Round 2
9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-E
Finalist Announcement
11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Final Round
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery AB
Meet Winner Announced
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
During Member Engagement Lunch, DeVos Ballroom BCD
Delta Collegiate FB
- Audrey Martin, Midland
MSU Main Campus Collegiate FB
- Mackenzie Strong, Gratiot
Muskegon Collegiate FB
- Samantha Van Dort, Ottawa
Montcalm Collegiate FB
- Victoria Caine, Kent County
Delta Collegiate FB
- Audrey Martin, Midland
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
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 2024 American Farm Bureau FUSION Conference March 8-11 in Omaha, Nebraska to represent Michigan at the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet Competition. All prizes are courtesy of DTE Energy and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
High School Meet — Wednesday, Nov. 29
- Allegan County — Olivia Belden, Hopkins FFA
- Bay County — Cole McGee, Bay-Arenac Career Center FFA
- Calhoun County — Karlie Goble, Calhoun County Farm Bureau
- Clare County — Madison Forfinski, Hide-N-Hare 4-H Club
- Clare & Gladwin Counties — Grace Taylor, Clare-Gladwin FFA
- Clare & Gladwin Counties — Caiden Ross, Clare-Gladwin FFA
- Eaton County — Sydney Monahan, Olivet FFA
- Eaton County — Elizabeth Stanke, Charlotte FFA
- Gratiot County — Brent DeSaegher, Ithaca FFA
- Gratiot County — Nicole Hollabaugh, Critters & Crafts 4-H Club/Ithaca FFA
- Hillsdale County — Hunter Bognar, Jonesville FFA
- Huron County — Makaila Cantrell, Lucky Livestock 4-H Club
- Ingham County — Sophia Barnum, Mason FFA
- Kent County — Piper Koebel, Cedar Springs FFA
- Lenawee County — Anjel Solis, Lenawee TECH Center PM FFA
- Monroe County — Emily Sullivan, Milan FFA
- Monroe County — Isabella Garcia, Milan FFA
- Monroe County — Celina Eldridge, Montcalm County Farm Bureau
- Muskegon County — Grace Torsch, Montague FFA
- Ottawa County — Kadence Hren, Careerline Tech Center AM FFA
- Sanilac County — Westley Chapin, Sanilac FFA
- Sanilac County — Makayla Blashill, St. Clair County Farm Bureau
- Shiawassee County — Myleigh Rohner, Byron FFA
- Shiawassee County — Reece Eustace, New Lothrop FFA
- St. Clair County — Dori Stuever, Capac FFA
ROUND 1
Grand Gallery C
- Makayla Blashill
- Piper Koebel
- Nicole Hollabaugh
- Cole McGee
- Anjel Solis
- Elizabeth Stanke
- Dori Stuever
Grand Gallery D
- Makayla Blashill
- Madison Forfinski
- Sydney Monahan
- Myleigh Rohner
- Emily Sullivan
- Grace Torsch
Grand Gallery E
- Hunter Bognar
- Sophia Barnum
- Makaila Cantrell
- Karlie Goble
- Kadence Hren
- Caiden Ross
ROUND 2
Grand Gallery C
- Sophia Barnum
- Hunter Bognar
- Brent De Saegher
- Madison Forfinski
- Piper Koebel
- Grace Torsch
Grand Gallery D
- Makayla Blashill
- Karlie Goble
- Cole McGee
- Sydney Monahan
- Elizabeth Stanke
- Emily Sullivan
Grand Gallery E
- Makaila Cantrell
- Nicole Hollabaugh
- Kadence Hren
- Myleigh Rohner
- Caiden Ross
- Anjel Solis
Registration
8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m
DeVos Grand Gallery
Competitors' Briefing
8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery B
Discussion Meet Round 1
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-E
Discussion Meet Round 2
9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery A-E
Finalist Announcement
11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
TBD
Final Round
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
DeVos Grand Gallery DE
Meet Winner Announced
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
During Member Engagement Lunch, DeVos Ballroom BCD
Lenawee Tech Center
- Anjel Solis, Lenawee
Ithaca High School
- Brent DeSaegher, Gratiot
Capac High School
- Dori Steuver, St. Clair
Montague High School
- Grace Torsch, Muskegon
Jonesville High School
- Hunter Bognar, Hillsdale
Crosswell-Lexington High School
- Makayla Blashill, St. Clair
Crosswell-Lexington High School
- Makayla Blashill, St. Clair
- 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?
- Agriculture uses water for everything from growing crops, raising livestock, and moving products to and from farms and ag business operations. Water issues are often hotly debated, are unique to each region and can pose significant challenges to growers. How can the agricultural industry help address water management challenges and seek long term solutions?
- 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?
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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