Farm Bureau’s annual Discussion Meet competition is intended to develop young agricultural professionals’ skills in working through thoughtful, courteous discussion to solve problems.

This competitive event simulates 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 (listed below). 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.

Apply by Oct. 22, 2018.

Eligibility

  • Must be a farmer/voting member of a county Farm Bureau.
  • Must be 18-35 years of age prior to Jan. 31, 2020.
  • Must not have received a public speaking fee or honorarium in the past 24 months.
  • Previous state winners and current Young Agricultural Professionals Advisory Team are ineligible.
  • Past and present members of the AFBF YF&R Committee may not apply.

2019 Discussion Meet Topics, Competition & Awards

SEMI-FINALS
Dec. 6, 2018 at Ohio Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Columbus. Round 1 and 2 will be held from 9-11:30 a.m.

Semi-Final Round 1 Question: As the voice of agriculture, how can Farm Bureau be more inclusive of all agriculture and production practices? This includes, but is not limited to, women in agriculture, organic production, fresh produce, forestry and aquaculture.

Semi-Final Round 2 Question: In our modern world, the rapid dissemination of information and opinion about agriculture and food technologies can make it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Given these challenges, how can Farm Bureau best protect farmers’ and ranchers’ access to production technology options?

FINALS
Four finalists will be chosen to compete Feb. 1, 2019 at 8 p.m. at the YAP Winter Leadership Conference in Columbus.

Final Round Question: Technology is one of the driving forces for innovation and advancement in agriculture. How can the industry attract the best and brightest minds from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into agricultural careers?

Prizes

  • $1,000 cash award from Nationwide Insurance.
  • Expense-paid trip to OFBF Annual Meeting including two-nights lodging and invitation to the Harvest Banquet Dec. 11-13, 2019.
  • Expense-paid trip to represent Ohio at the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Austin, Texas in January 2020.

Apply by Oct. 22, 2018.

Contact the county Farm Bureau office for more information about the Discussion Meet or Young Agricultural Professionals programming.

Online extras

Annie Specht is the 2018 Discussion Meet winner and will represent Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in New Orleans in January 2019.

The 2018 Discussion Meet finalists were guests on Town Hall Ohio. (They are pictured in the feature photo.)

American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet information.

Young Active Member

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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