2026 Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet

Background

The Discussion Meet is a competition promoted by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Farm Bureau’s strength depends on its members’ ability to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions that best meet their needs. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. 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. A successful participant is a productive thinker rather than an emotional persuader. They will assist the group in creating ways to implement the solutions discussed and highlight Farm Bureau’s involvement in those actions/steps.

Eligibility

Participant shall be a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 and 35. The individual shall have reached their 18th birthday at the time they qualify for the state competition and shall not have reached their 36th birthday by January 11, 2027.
Participant must display a sincere interest in the agricultural industry.
Participant 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/spousal-equivalents are not eligible.
Past state YF&R Discussion Meet winners and/or previous AFBF Discussion Meet competitors are not eligible to compete.
Current employees or agents of county, state and/or American Farm Bureaus 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. Past employees who were responsible for implementing any of the YF&R Competitive Events since January 1, 2020, at the state or national level are ineligible.
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.

FFBF Competition

The participants will discuss pre-selected topics using four bases for the general discussion: cooperation, constructive criticism, problem solving and communication.
The State Competition will consist of five rounds:
- 2026 FUSION Leadership Conference in Orlando (July 10-12, 2026):
  - two preliminary rounds
  - one final four round on stage
- 2026 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Daytona (October 28-30, 2026):
  - two final four rounds
The National Competition will consist of three rounds:
- 2027 AFBF Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina (January 8-12, 2027.)
  - one round robin (you compete twice)
  - sweet 16 round
  - final four round
Each round will begin with a 30-second opening statement and end with a one-minute closing statement by each participant.
Preliminary and sweet 16 rounds will have 25 minutes of open discussion. Final four rounds will have 30 minutes of open discussion.
Topics for each round will be drawn at random from the 5 topics below.
Winner of the State Contest will advance to the National Competition, held at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 8-12, 2027. As part of the state recognition award, Florida Farm Bureau will provide an expenses-paid trip to the AFBF Discussion Meet competition.

More detailed information regarding the competition can be found in the

AFBF Discussion Meet Manual.

Discussion Meet Topics for the 2026 FFBF and 2027 AFBF Competition

Growth in rural areas can strain rural energy infrastructure. How can Farm Bureau work with stakeholders to advocate for proactive planning at the local, state and national levels that safeguards affordable, reliable energy access for farmers and ranchers as well as their rural neighbors while protecting farmland from unnecessary eminent domain?
Rural and large animal veterinary practices and professionals continue to decrease in numbers across the country. How can Farm Bureau help attract and retain rural and large animal veterinarians for member communities?
With the continued ripple effect of supply chain challenges related to meat processing, how can Farm Bureau leverage its grassroots network to reduce barriers and create pathways for the development of local USDA certified meat processing?
How can Farm Bureau and its young leaders leverage relationships with agricultural youth organizations to attract more young leaders to the Young Farmers & Ranchers program?
Increased public concern over healthy diets and chronic childhood disease has raised questions, as well as criticism, about modern agriculture and the food system. How can Farm Bureau effectively engage in this discussion and advocate
for the critical science-based tools and research farmers need to fulfill their commitment to grow healthy, sustainable food, fiber and fuel?

Entry Deadline: May 1, 2026

Applicant Name:*

First NameLast Name

Phonetic Pronunciation:*

Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

County:*

Date of Birth:*

Phone Number*

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Email Address:*

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

Education/Degree:*

Are you an alumnus of any of the following youth organizations? (Check all that apply)

4-HAFAFFAMANRRS

Do you have any ADA special requirements we should be aware of?*

YesNo

Please list any ADA special requirements we should be aware of below:*

Please attach a completed W-9 Form. In the event you win the competition, we will need this form to award your prize.

Here is a direct link to the W-9 Form: Form W-9 (Rev. March 2024)

Upload Completed W-9 Form Here:*

I hereby certify the information on this entry form to be accurate and true statements. FFBF reserves the right to use my photos and/or any video footage for use in promoting Farm Bureau. The photos and/or video footage of the undersigned contestant may also be available to Farm Bureau sponsors. By participating in the event, I warrant that I fully and unconditionally agree to and accept the YF&R official contest rules and the decisions of the FFBF, which are final and binding.