By Macie Clugston
TFB Communications Intern
Young farmers and ranchers who have a passion for agriculture and a determination to help solve issues facing agriculture are encouraged to apply for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2019 Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet.
The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 1.
“The Discussion Meet allows young farmers and ranchers the opportunity to discuss some of the current and relevant challenges facing agriculture and work toward a solution or develop goals for improvement,” Whit Weems, TFB director of Organization, said.
Contestants are provided information on five issues that impact agriculture in order to prepare for the contest.
Two or more preliminary rounds will feature separate topics, with a 25-minute roundtable discussion among the panelists to determine the top four finalists. For the final round, the four finalists will discuss a topic that is drawn from the remaining questions.
“Discussing complex issues with your peers is one of the best ways to grow as an advocate and become a more effective communicator,” Weems said. “The contest challenges young Farm Bureau members to analyze agricultural issues and consider solutions that best meet the needs of the industry.”
The Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant.
The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information.
The contestants build basic discussion skills, develop a deeper understanding of agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems through discussion.
The YF&R Discussion Meet will be held during TFB’s Annual Meeting Dec. 7-9 in San Antonio.
A $200 reimbursement in travel expenses will be awarded to those who compete in the Discussion Meet.
The contest winner will receive an ATV, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; $5,000 cash prize, courtesy of Farm Credit; and an expense-paid trip for two to compete in the National Discussion Meet during the 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and Trade Show in Austin.
The three finalists will each receive a $500 cash prize courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.
The prizes for the national contest will be announced later this year.
Contestants must be TFB members in good standing between the ages 18 and 35 as of Jan. 31, 2020, who are interested in or engaged in farming and ranching.
Previous winners, professional speakers and county, state or American Farm Bureau Federation employees are not eligible to compete.
Click here for the guidelines and the YF&R Discussion Meet manual. More information is available at www.texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
Register for the contest through the MyTFB membership portal at my.texasfarmbureau.org.
For more information on the Discussion Meet, contact Whit Weems at youngfarmers@txfb.org or 254-399-5030.