By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Young farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals ready to strengthen their leadership skills and tackle the issues shaping agriculture can now register for the 2026 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet.

The peer-focused discussion is open to Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members between the ages of 18 and 35.

“The Discussion Meet gives young farmers and ranchers an opportunity to have conversations about the issues affecting agriculture,” Ryan Yeatts, TFB YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “It’s a chance to learn from one another, share different perspectives and work together to find practical solutions.”

The Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where active participation, collaboration and thoughtful discussion are encouraged.

To prepare for the contest, participants are provided with five topics aimed at solving diverse and complex issues within agriculture.

In each preliminary round, participants will randomly select a topic and engage in a 25-minute roundtable discussion, including opening and closing statements. Contestants are evaluated on how well they share ideas, ask questions and collaborate to drive the conversation.

After the preliminary rounds, the top four finalists will be announced. Those finalists will discuss a new topic drawn from the remaining questions.

“The Discussion Meet isn’t about having all the right answers,” Yeatts said. “It’s about listening, learning from others and working together to develop solutions that can move agriculture forward.”

Registration closes Nov. 1.

The YF&R Discussion Meet will be held during TFB’s Annual Meeting Dec. 4-6 in Waco.

Contestants must be TFB members in good standing between the ages of 18 and 35 as of Jan. 8, 2027. Applicants should be interested in or engaged in agricultural production.

Past and present American Farm Bureau YF&R committee members are not eligible to compete. Previous winners, professional speakers and county or state Farm Bureau employees are also ineligible.

Collegiate Discussion Meet participants may not compete in the YF&R Discussion Meet within the same calendar year.

The winner will receive an ATV with an estimated prize value of $9,000, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to compete in the national contest during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.

The three finalists will each receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank, and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

All contestants can apply for up to $200 in expense reimbursement.

For more information on contest eligibility, guidelines and the Discussion Meet manual, visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.

For questions about the contest or YF&R activities, email youngfarmers@txfb.org or call 254-399-5021.