Discussion Meet Contest

The Discussion Meet is a group discussion designed to offer young farmers and ranchers the opportunity to discuss issues affecting agriculture today.  It is not a debate or a speech contest – it simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation is expected from each participant.

Discussion Meet Procedure

  • The topic chosen will be announced to the participants 30 minutes before the contest begins.
  • When the contest begins, the moderator will introduce the contestants and restate the topic to be discussed.  The contestants will make a 30 second opening statement in voluntary order.
  • The moderator will then indicate the opportunity for open discussion, which will run for a total of 25 minutes.
  • The timekeeper will indicate to the moderator when a total of 20 minutes has elapsed, and then again at 25 minutes.
  • The moderator will call for one minute of quiet time to allow the contestants to consider a closing statement.
  • The moderator will call upon the contestants in voluntary order to make a one-minute closing statement.

Rules of Eligibility

  • Contestants must be a Farm Bureau member and actively engaged in agriculture.
  • Contestants must be at least 18 and no more than 35 years of age as of January 31, 2026.
  • Contestants may not be currently enrolled in any undergraduate courses at the time of the state or national contests.
  • Entries are due by January 24, 2025.
  • If entries are sufficient, a preliminary contest will be held.  The top four entrants would then advance to the final state contest.  The contests will be held at the 2025 YF&R Leadership Conference on February 14-16, 2025.
  • The state winner will be recognized at the 2025 MOFB Annual Meeting and will receive a cash award and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, in January 2026, where they will represent Missouri in the national contest.
  • Contestants are not eligible to compete in the Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet once they have competed at the YF&R level.

2025 Discussion Meet Questions

  • Young farmers and ranchers are finding they need to diversify their farm portfolio. What are some ways that young farmers and ranchers can utilize diversification to explore new revenue sources? How can Farm Bureau support YF&R members as they strengthen their farm and ranch businesses?
  • Increases in the price of agricultural land make access and ownership of land one of the biggest hurdles for young farmers and ranchers looking to start or expand farms and ranches. How can young farmers and ranchers position themselves to react to competition for agricultural land?
  • The landscape of American agriculture and the picture of the “typical” American farm continues to change. Meanwhile, Farm Bureau will need to continue to recruit and retain members in order to be a vibrant and effective organization into the future. How can Farm Bureau continue to provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture and American farmers and ranchers?
  • Succession planning is often a tough subject not only for individual farms and ranches but also within county Farm Bureaus. Some younger members may find it challenging to become involved in their county Farm Bureau beyond the YF&R committee. What are some ways that county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members and how can actively engaged young board members help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future?
  • Farmers and ranchers are reliant on multiple energy sources to run equipment, heat livestock barns and power storage and maintenance facilities. How can Farm Bureau work with energy companies, local governments and rural communities to increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights?

Register for the Contest