YAP Discussion Meet Application

YAP Discussion Meet Application

2026 Contest Year
Overview

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals (YAP) Discussion Meet is a competitive event that 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.

Eligibility
- Applicant shall be a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 and 35 in good standing with his/her county Farm Bureau. The individual shall have reached his/her 18th birthday at the time he/she qualifies for the state competition and shall not have reached his/her 36th birthday by the completion of the national competition. Competitors qualify at the time the state application is submitted and the completion of the national competition is the day awards are given out (January 11, 2027).
- Applicant must be actively engaged in agriculture.
- Applicant may only compete in one national YF&R competition per year.
- Past and present members of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and/or their spouse are not eligible to compete.
- Previous AFBF Discussion Meet competitors are not eligible to compete. Current employees or agents of county, state and/or the American Farm Bureau organizations and their affiliates are not eligible to compete. An affiliate is defined as an entity owned or controlled in whole or in part by another entity through, for example, ownership (including partial ownership) or positions on the board of directors.
- Professional speakers are not eligible to compete. Professional speakers are those who have received a fee, royalty or honorarium for speaking (i.e., paid speaking appearances or speaking engagements) within 24 months prior to this annual competition. This excludes reimbursement for travel or expenses attendant to the appearance.
Mock Media Interview - Nov. 7, 2023

Each competitor will be paired with an interviewer from Ag Media to conduct a virtual interview around one predetermined topic. The interviewer will ask each competitor a series of questions as if this were a formal media interview. Competitors will be evaluated on their delivery, critical thinking, Farm Bureau engagement and overall context of their interview. In this round the competitors will have 8 minutes to conduct the interview. The top eight scoring media interviewees will be invited to participate in the Semi-Final round of the Discussion Meet competition. Media Interviews will be held remotely through a video conference call on November 7th.
Competition Timeline

During each round of competition, competitors will discuss pre-selected topics using four bases for the general discussion: cooperation, constructive criticism, problem-solving, and communication.

Semi-Finals (2 Rounds) - December 11, 2025

All applicants will be invited to participate in the Discussion Meet Semi-Finals to be held at the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Columbus, OH at 9 am on December 11, 2025. The semi-finals consist of 2 rounds of competition. Each round will consist of a 30-second opening statement, then move to 15 minutes of open discussion, and end with a one-minute closing statement by each participant. Competitors will be randomly assigned to rooms for both semi-final rounds. The four competitors with the highest combined scores will move forward to the Final Four round of competition.

Final Four - January 23, 2026

The four competitors with the highest overall score from the semi-finals will advance to the Final Four round of competition to be held at the Winter Leadership Experience in Newark, OH on January 23, 2026. This round will include a 30-second opening statement, a 25-minute open discussion, and a 1-minute closing statement. The individual with the highest score will be named the state winner and will move on to the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competition to be held in Charlotte, NC during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention January 8-12, 2027.
Competition Resources

Below are competitor specific resources both to provide more context of what to expect and to aid in your preparation.

The 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Discussion Meet Competitor Guide provides a wealth of knowledge of why the discussion meet exists, an overview of how each discussion meet round will look, and competitor best practices. NOTE: While the Ohio Farm Bureau YAP Discussion Meet does align in many ways with the AFBF contest, there are a few minor differences. Most notable, the specific topic for each round of competition is shared well in advance for the state contest and there are fewer rounds of competition at the state level (outlined above in the competition timeline).
Save-the-Date: Virtual Discussion Meet Training

New this year, a virtual discussion meet training will be held October 22nd at 8pm. Attendees will review the basics of what to expect for the contest, hear tips and tricks of how to best prepare, and learn basics of each of the discussion topics. This is a training you won't want to miss!

Full details will be shared will all competitors after the close of registration.
I have read and understand the eligibility requirements and competition timeline for the 2026 Discussion Meet contest.

Yes
I understand that by applying for this contest, I am available to participate in the following contest times: MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH COMPETITION TIMES AND ORIENTATIONS*

Yes, I am available to be at the SEMI-FINALS on December 11, 2025 from tentatively 9 am to 10 am in Columbus, OH (orientation at 8:30 am)Yes, should I advance, I am available to be at the FINAL FOUR on January 23, 2026 from tentatively 5 pm to 6 pm in Newark, OH (orientation tentatively at 4pm)No, I am not available for one or more of the required competition times and will not be competing this year.

Prizes

The final four receive an award package valued at over $1,000. The overall award winner receives an award package valued at over $10,000.

Award Winner
- Expense-paid trip to the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Kick-Off Luncheon in December (Four Guest Tickets included)
- Expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention as the national competitor, January 8-12, 2027 in Charlotte, NC
- Media package
- $3,000 cash prize of choice
Final Four
- Expense-paid trip to the Winter Leadership Experience January 23-24, 2026
- Embroidered Ohio Farm Bureau branded apparel
- $100 Cash Award
Semi-Finalists
- $50 Cash Award
Applications Due: October 1, 2025

Questions? Contact yap@ofbf.org

Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Birthdate*

MonthDayYear
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Ohio Farm Bureau Membership ID #*
Not sure were to find your member ID#? Go to https://ofbf.org/login/ to access your member account and your ID# will be in the upper left side of your profile page OR contact your county Farm Bureau for assistance. County Farm Bureau contact information can be found at https://ofbf.org/community/counties/
County of Farm Bureau Membership*
OFBF Membership County
Jacket Size (Finalists will be notified to confirm sizing preference)
Upload your headshot*

Browse Files

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If you are selected as a finalist, part of your award package includes an embroided Ohio Farm Bureau branded apparel item. Use the links below to review your apparel options and resepctive size guides to make your preferred selection.

Soft Shell Jacket - Navy Heather | Men's Size Guide | Women's Size Guide

Uni-sex 1/4 Zip Pullover - True Heather Navy | Uni-sex Size Guide

Uni-sex Lace-up Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt - True Royal | Uni-sex Size Guide
Apparel Item

MENS Soft Shell Jacket - Navy HeatherWOMENS Soft Shell Jacket - Navy HeatherUni-sex 1/4 Zip Pullover - True Heather NavyUni-sex Lace-up Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt - True RoyalI've already received each of the items above. (staff will work with you to find another apparel item you don't own yet to add to your collection)
Preferred Size*
Should be Empty:

YAP Discussion Meet Application

Overview

Eligibility

Mock Media Interview - Nov. 7, 2023

Competition Timeline

Competition Resources

Save-the-Date: Virtual Discussion Meet Training

Prizes