Discussion Meet

Young Farmers & Ranchers: Outstanding YF&R of the Year Discussion Meet Outstanding Agribusiness Person of the Year Food Check-Out Week YF&R Gives Back Committee of the Year Spotlight Leadership Conference Growing Farm Bureau Request Information

Deadlines

Application: October 1, 2008
Collegiate Application: November 1, 2008

Download

Application (PDF, 26 KB)
Manual (PDF, 111 KB)

Eligibility

Contestants shall be members actively involved in agriculture, and between the ages of 18-35; they shall not have reached their 36^th birthday by December 31 of the year competing. Past Discussion Meet State Winners are ineligible to compete. Anyone who has received a fee or honorarium for public speaking is ineligible. County, State and American Farm Bureau employees are ineligible.

Collegiate Eligibility

Collegiate contestants should also be undergraduate college students, not enrolled in a graduate level program at the time of their state Collegiate Discussion Meet competitive event, involved in a college of agriculture with at least a minor in an agricultural field of study.

Fees

A $25 entry fee must accompany registration forms. Entry fees are to be paid by the registrant's personal check. Refunds are available if cancellation is made by November 15, 2008.

Competition

2007 Discussion Meet winner Shannon Douglass and her husband, Kelly, with Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Pickup.

The strength of Farm Bureau is largely in its ability to involve members in analyzing their agricultural problems and deciding on solutions that best meet their needs. The Discussion Meet provides an opportunity for greater participation on the part of young, active farmers and ranchers and helps them develop a greater command of basic discussion skills.

The three fundamentals of general discussion are constructive criticism, cooperation and communication. The contestant's responsibility is to exchange ideas and information in an effort to solve a problem.

The California Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee will conduct an orientation; two round robin contests, a sweet sixteen round and a final round. The first topic will be announced during the orientation, while the rest of the topics will be announced following each round of discussion. Request more information about the Discussion Meet.

Awards

Sponsor	Winner	1st Runner-up	2nd Runner-up	3rd Runner-up
California Farm Bureau Federation	$1,000	$300	$200	$100
Dodge Trucks	$500, 2500 Quad Cab Pickup
Bank of America	$1,000	$300	$200	$100
Allied Insurance Company	$500	$500	$500	$500
State Compensation Insurance Fund	$400	$300	$200	$100
California Farm Credit Association	$700	$500	$100	$100

Collegiate Awards

Sponsor	Winner	1st Runner-up	2nd Runner-up	3rd Runner-up
California Farm Bureau Federation	$500	$200	$100	$100

Topics

Topic 1: How can the aging infrastructure of the United States support the transportation of agricultural commodities in the future?: Cost; Regulation; Safety; Modes of transportation; Competition with non-agricultural commodities
Topic 2: How do land grant universities remain on the forefront of an ever-changing agricultural environment?: Research; Extension; Taxpayer fiscal responsibilities; Timeliness of information; FB relationship
Topic 3: How do we correct the misconceptions of Farm Bureau?: Grassroots; Federation; Political action; Leadership development
Topic 4: After YF&R, how can Farm Bureau utilize the leaders it has developed?: County programs; State programs; National programs; Integration of all levels; New program ideas; Continued professional development