By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Signup is underway for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) 2023 Discussion Meet.

The YF&R Discussion Meet is a peer-focused discussion aimed at solving diverse and complex issues within agriculture.

Contestants are provided five agricultural-related topics to prepare for discussion.

“The goal of the Discussion Meet is to identify young leaders with a vast knowledge on current issues in agriculture,” Adrienne Synatschk, TFB YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “The discussion-type setting allows a conversation to be held between individuals about issues we are facing today in agriculture.”

The Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant.

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.

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 a consensus and solve problems through discussion.

“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,” Syntaschk said. “It also allows them the opportunity to hear the views of others and builds on their leadership, advocacy and communication skills.”

Registration closes Nov. 1.

The YF&R Discussion Meet will be held during TFB’s Annual Meeting Dec. 1-3 in Frisco.

Contestants must be TFB members in good standing between the ages of 18 and 35 as of Jan. 22, 2024. Applicants should be interested in or engaged in agricultural production.

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

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 Discussion Meet 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.

Register for the contest through the MyTFB membership portal at my.texasfarmbureau.org.

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