High school FFA and 4-H members are invited to compete in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers High School Discussion Meet held Tuesday, July 17 at 2 p.m. during the Oklahoma State University Big 3 Field Days.
Held in Agricultural Hall on the OSU campus in Stillwater, the competitive event provides students with an educational opportunity to enhance their speaking, reasoning and presentation skills, all while analyzing issues in agriculture. 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.
The meet 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. Find a list of potential discussion meet topics on the OKFB YF&R High School Discussion Meet registration form. Watch the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four below for an example of the competition format.
Scholarships will be awarded to the top four finalists in the competition. First place will receive $1,500; second place will receive $1,000; third place will receive $500; and fourth place will receive $250.
Each school may send one high school junior and one high school senior. Students must submit the registration form to OKFB YF&R Coordinator Zac Swartz by June 15. To learn more about the competition, find the YF&R High School Discussion Meet Contestants’ Guide here.
For more information, please contact OKFB YF&R Coordinator Zac Swartz at 405-205-0070 or zac.swartz@okfb.org.
