Young Farmer Discussion Meet virtual semifinals Nov. 12

Mark your calendars for Nov. 12 to watch 33 talented Young Farmers compete to move on in this year’s State Discussion Meet. These two preliminary rounds are the first step of each contestant’s journey, as they vie for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen and ultimately the Final Four, live on stage at MFB’s 102^nd State Annual Meeting, Nov. 30.

New for 2021, the preliminary rounds will be taking place virtually and are open to the public through Zoom. This change in format will accommodate for an additional round of Sweet Sixteen competition.

Discussion Meets simulate a committee meeting where active participation is expected from everyone. This 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.

Participants will tackle two of these topics for this year’s preliminary rounds:

• How can Farm Bureau improve its effectiveness at recruiting YF&R members and increasing participation in YF&R programs?
• Studies show more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and mental health issues. What can farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau do to proactively promote good mental health in both themselves and their communities?
• Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries. What can we, as young farmers and ranchers, do to create a more preventative, rather than reactive, approach to farm safety in our communities?

The contestants moving on to the Sweet Sixteen competition will be announced on Michigan Farm Bureau’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. EST.

Want to tune in? Register by clicking on the below room link, for each room you’d like to watch.

ROUND 1: Room A, 10:15 a.m.

• Tobia Purple, District 9, Benzie-Manistee
• Kelsi Dalgord, District 12, Hiawathaland
• Sarah Zastrow, District 8, Midland County
• Emily Swift, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Bo Stemaly, District 2, Calhoun County
• Andrew Braun, District 5, Clinton County     

ROUND 1: Room B, 10:15 a.m.

• Susan Mattila, District 12, Copper Country
• Karl Wernette, District 7, Mecosta County
• Michael Genovese, District 3, Oakland County
• Madeleine Smeltzer, District 9, Benzie-Manistee
• Riley Brazo, District 1, St. Joseph County      
• Dalton Hard, District 2, Branch County

ROUND 1: Room C, 10:15 a.m.

• Katelyn Thompson, District 5, Eaton County
• Andrew Goodwin, District 3, Livingston County
• Brennan Mudd, District 8, Midland County
• Susan McBroom, District 12, Iron Range
• Nate Wilson, District 9, Northwest Michigan
• Marcia Cripps, District 1, St. Joseph County

ROUND 1: Room D, 11:00 a.m.

• Natalie Holbrook, District 6, Lapeer County
• Katie Wernette, District 7, Mecosta County
• Mark Trowbridge, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Bryanna Beyer, District 10, Huron Shores
• Riley Smith, District 8, Isabella County

ROUND 1: Room E, 11:00 a.m.

• Jake TeBos, District 4, Ottawa County
• Faith Butcher, District 5, Shiawassee County
• Robyn Fogarasi, District 10, Arenac County
• Andy Kirsch, District 6, Huron County
• Katelyn Packard, District 3, Washtenaw County

ROUND 1: Room F, 11:00 a.m.

• Sarah Hollon, District 10, Clare County
• Jackie Sanford, District 2, Jackson County
• Lane Stotler, District 7, Oceana County
• Claire Zahm, District 4, Ottawa County
• Kelly Ratajczak, District 6, Tuscola County

ROUND 2: Room A, 12:30 p.m.

• Natalie Holbrook, District 6, Lapeer County
• Katie Wernette, District 7, Mecosta County
• Jake TeBos, District 4, Ottawa County
• Faith Butcher, District 5, Shiawassee County
• Sarah Hollon, District 10, Clare County
• Jackie Sanford, District 2, Jackson County

ROUND 2: Room B, 12:30 p.m.

• Tobia Purple, District 9, Benzie-Manistee
• Mark Trowbridge, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Robyn Fogarasi, District 10, Arenac County
• Andy Kirsch, District 6, Huron County
• Lane Stotler, District 7, Oceana County
• Claire Zahm, District 4, Ottawa County

ROUND 2: Room C, 12:30 p.m.

• Susan Mattila, District 12, Copper Country
• Karl Wernette, District 7, Mecosta County
• Bryanna Beyer, District 10, Huron Shores
• Katelyn Packard, District 3, Washtenaw County
• Riley Smith, District 8, Isabella County
• Kelly Ratajczak, District 6, Tuscola County

ROUND 2: Room D, 1:15 p.m.

• Sarah Zastrow, District 8, Midland County
• Emily Swift, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Katelyn Thompson, District 5, Eaton County
• Madeleine Smeltzer, District 9, Benzie-Manistee
• Susan McBroom, District 12, Iron Range

ROUND 2: Room E, 1:15 p.m.

• Bo Stemaly, District 2, Calhoun County
• Riley Brazo, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Andrew Goodwin, District 3, Livingston County
• Brennan Mudd, District 8, Midland County
• Kelsi Dalgord, District 12, Hiawathaland

ROUND 2: Room F, 1:15 p.m.

• Andrew Braun, District 5, Clinton County
• Dalton Hard, District 2, Branch County
• Nate Wilson, District 9, Northwest Michigan
• Marcia Cripps, District 1, St. Joseph County
• Michael Genovese, District 3, Oakland County

Rooms may face last minute adjustment, due to potential contestant changes. Visit the State Annual Meeting website for the most up-to-date listing. Contact Megan Sprague at [email protected] with questions.