The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Discussion Meet 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. 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.
Two of the following questions will be selected for the 2025 Discussion Meet preliminary rounds:
- Getting involved in state or local politics allows you to directly influence policies that significantly impact a farmer’s livelihood. What challenges prevent young farmers from engaging, and how can Farm Bureau provide the support needed to overcome these barriers?
- What are some key issues facing farmers in our state, and how can Farm Bureau address these challenges to support the sustainability and growth of local agriculture?
- Every year there are less people returning to the farm and production agriculture. How can Farm Bureau encourage young people to get involved in agriculture and in their county Farm Bureau organizations?
During the preliminary rounds held January 17-18, 2025, during the 2025 Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines (11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Saturday, January 18), participants compete in two rounds, each addressing one of these questions. New this year, you will see the schedule has been adjusted to provide more time between the competitive event rounds. This means no more rushing to the next round, allowing you to perform at your best!
Individuals compete on a panel of three to six people in a free-wheeling style, as if they were sitting around the kitchen table discussing a problem where they exchange ideas and information to solve the problem. The format is a 30 second opening statement, 25 minutes of group discussion, and a 60 second closing statement. Contestants are judged on cooperative attitude, problem solving & implementation, delivery, analysis of the topic, and opening and closing statements. Based on cumulative ranking after two rounds, the top ten semi-finalists will be determined.
Semi-finalists receive coaching throughout the year to prepare for the Iowa final rounds held December 9-10, 2025, during the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting & County Leadership Conference in Des Moines. Questions for the final rounds will be selected from the five questions provided by AFBF.
Prizes are awarded to four state finalists:
- First Place
- Young Farmer Essentials Gift Card Bundle ($2,000 value) from Iowa Farm Bureau
- $1,500 cash award from GROWMARK
- Expense paid trip to the 2026 AFBF Annual Convention in Anaheim, CA January 9–13, 2026 to compete in the AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet
- Expense paid trip to the 2026 IFBF Young Farmer Conference January 23-24, 2026
- Second Place
- Young Farmer Essentials Gift Card Bundle ($1,000 value) from Iowa Farm Bureau
- $500 cash award from GROWMARK
- Third Place
- Young Farmer Essentials Gift Card Bundle ($750 value) from Iowa Farm Bureau
- $250 cash award from GROWMARK
- Fourth Place
- Young Farmer Essentials Gift Card Bundle ($500 value) from Iowa Farm Bureau
- $250 cash award from GROWMARK
Eligibility: Must be 35 years of age or younger as of Jan. 31, 2026, and a regular member in good standing with your county Farm Bureau. Previous state winners and current Young Farmer Advisory Committee members are ineligible. Participants may not have received a public speaking fee or honorarium.
Want to learn more? Join our All About Discussion Meet session at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17! Grab a drink and join this casual session to learn more about the competition’s structure and topics, and even see a mock Discussion Meet. After this session, you’ll be ready to compete on Saturday!
Register for the Discussion Meet at the 2025 Young Farmer Conference! Limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis in the Whova Conference App. Registrations accepted Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. through Saturday, January 18 at 10:30 a.m..
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