By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Young farmers and ranchers who are passionate about agriculture and solving diverse and complex issues within the field are encouraged to apply for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2021 Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet.
The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 1.
“The goal of the Discussion Meet is to identify young leaders with a vast knowledge on current issues in agriculture,” Kaylin Isbell, TFB YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “The discussion-type setting allows a conversation to be held between four to six individuals about issues we are facing today in agriculture.”
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.
“Young farmers and ranchers should participate and be involved, because it allows them to give their opinions on these issues and share with others how they think we could resolve issues facing agriculture as an organization. It also allows them the opportunity to hear the views of others,” Isbell said.
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.
“To prepare for the Discussion Meet, I recommend looking at the current issues that Farm Bureau and news outlets are currently addressing,” she said. “Make sure you are up to date on these and also have a general background and understanding of the government process and how we, as Farm Bureau members, can impact laws to be changed or new laws put in place.”
The YF&R Discussion Meet will be held during TFB’s Annual Meeting Dec. 3-5 in Corpus Christi.
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 Bank of Texas; and an expense-paid trip for two to compete in the National Discussion Meet during the 2022 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.
The three finalists will each receive a $1,000 cash prize, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank, and 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, 2022, who are actively engaged in farming and ranching.
Previous winners, professional speakers and county, state or American Farm Bureau Federation employees are not eligible to compete.
For more information on contest eligibility, guidelines and the Discussion Meet manual, visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
Register for the contest through the MyTFB membership portal at my.texasfarmbureau.org.
For questions, email youngfarmers@txfb.org or call 254.751.5021.