Discussion Meet Preparation

Who is excited for our favorite time of they year Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Annual Discussion Meet. We are looking for individuals between the ages of 18 to 35 years old who would be interested in competing in YF&R Discussion Meet. The winner not only wins a cash prize, but also wins a trip to compete in the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Discussion Meet in San Antonio, Texas.

The objective of the YF&R program is to surface, grow and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership and ensure effective Farm Bureaus. The program is also focused on personal growth in the following areas: public speaking, issue advocacy, business development, networking, service leadership, media training and telling the story of agriculture.

The Discussion Meet is a competitive event that simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. 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.

Each year the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R committee releases a set of five questions the states use when they hold their annual Discussion Meets. The Nevada Farm Bureau has their annual Discussion Meet at the Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting that will be held this November 7^th through the 10^th at the Rafter 3C Arena in Fallon, Nevada. The lucky winner will not only take home a cash prize but will also move on to compete at the American Farm Bureau Annual YF&R Discussion Meet that will be held January 24 through the 29 in San Antonio, Texas.

Not only is this a great opportunity to meet people throughout the state of Nevada, but it is also a great way to make connections with people from other states as well. Again, we highly encourage you to think about competing in this year’s YF&R Discussion Meet if you are between the ages of 18 and 35. If you would like more information please feel free to contact Brittney Money at brittney@nvfb.org.

If interested the following questions will be the questions selected at random for the Discussion Meet at this year’s Annual Nevada Farm Bureau Meeting. Get a jump start on the competition by researching the following questions:

1. Young farmers and ranchers are finding they need to diversify their farm portfolio. What are some ways that young farmers and ranchers can utilize diversification to explore new revenue sources? How can Farm Bureau support YF&R members as they strengthen their farm and ranch businesses?
2. Increases in the price of agricultural land make access and ownership of land one of the biggest hurdles for young farmers and ranchers looking to start or expand farms and ranches. How can young farmers and ranchers position themselves to react to competition for agricultural land?
3. The landscape of American agriculture and the picture of the “typical” American farm continues to change. Meanwhile, Farm Bureau will need to continue to recruit and retain members in order to be a vibrant and effective organization into the future. How can Farm Bureau continue to provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture and American farmers and ranchers?
4. Succession planning is often a tough subject not only for individual farms and ranches but also within county Farm Bureaus. Some younger members may find it challenging to become involved in their county Farm Bureau beyond the YF&R committee. What are some ways that county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members and how can actively engaged young board members help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future?
5. Farmers and ranchers are reliant on multiple energy sources to run equipment, heat livestock barns and power storage and maintenance facilities. How can Farm Bureau work with energy companies, local governments and rural communities to increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights?

If interested in competing in the YF&R Discussion Meet the American Farm Bureau YF&R host a series of training events to help you better prepare for the competition. Training event dates will be:

Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern registration can be done by clicking this link.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern registration can be done by clicking this link.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern registration can be done by clicking this link.

We look forward to you joining us for the 2024 YF&R Discussion Meet.