Ag Discussion Meet

Overview

The Ag Discussion Meet is an FFA event initiated only for "out-of-school" active FFA members. Although the participants participate in groups of about three to eight, similar to a panel, they are not judged collectively, but are judged on an individual basis. The participants are seated similar to a panel, but they do not operate as a panel with the moderator starting and stopping each participant. Rather, they function in freewheeling style with no order of participation and with freedom of discussion as if a few people were sitting around a table discussing an agricultural topic.

State Event Only

20 Minutes

Rules

• The minimum number of participants in order to hold a state FFA Ag Discussion Meet will be three. If fewer participants are participating, the meet will be canceled. The maximum number of participants is limited to twenty-four on a first come, first served basis.

• No more than two members per FFA Chapter will be permitted to participate in the Ag Discussion Meet in any given year.

• Previous first, second, or third place FFA Ag Discussion Meet state winners shall not be eligible to participate in this event.

• Participants must register through their FFA Chapter using the online Iowa FFA Leadership Conference registration system by the specified date.

• A briefing session for judges, moderator and participants will precede the discussion meet event. Attendance at this briefing session is mandatory and is a requirement for participation.

• The number of participants in any discussion group may vary from a minimum of three to a maximum of eight at the descretion of the contest chairperson.

• When there are more than eight participants, it will be necessary to have preliminary rounds. Participants will be drawn for assignment to a discussion group for the preliminary rounds.

• If more than one discussion group {over eight participants} is needed, a finals round will be necessary. It will be composed of the two participants scoring highest in each of the discussion groups from the preliminary round.

• The moderator is the adult chairperson of the event. The moderator's responsibility is to introduce the topic and participants, to start the discussion, keep it on track, and see that no one monopolizes the time.

• Each discussion group, irrespective of number, will be limited to the following sequences and time allotment:

  • Introduction of participants and judges and announcement of the topic by the event moderator.

  • An opening 30 seconds (maximum) statement given in voluntary order by each participant.

  • A maximum of 30 seconds for the discussion group's discussion.

  • Contest chair will provide a visual warning at 20 minutes.

  • One minute of silence for preparation of closing statements.

  • A closing statement of 60 seconds (maximum) by each participant, also involuntary order of speaking.

• Participants may not bring notes or other information into the event. They will be provided blank paper for taking notes during the event.

• The topic to be discussed will be drawn from a list of three previously specified topics by the contest chair in full view of the participants just prior to turning the panel over to the moderator. The same topic is drawn for all preliminary round groups. One of the two remaining topics will be drawn for the finals round.

Resource Information

• Before the Ag Discussion Meet:

  • Become familiar with the discussion questions posted by the Iowa FFA Association.

  • Learn as much as possible about the procedure for the Ag Discussion Meet.

  • Study material relating to the three topics.

  • Sources:

    • Library

    • Newspaper

    • Magazines

    • Farm organization policies

    • County, state, and national agricultural publications

    • Conversations with those having knowledge of this subject

    • Online resources

  • At the time of the orientation/instructions meeting:

    • Become acquainted with the other participants and moderator.

    • Ask questions to clarify any instructions that are not clear.

    • Listen carefully as the moderator outlines the procedures you will follow.

  • During the Event:

    • Listen carefully as the moderator clarifies the topic and indicates opening statements are to be.

    • Stay seated to make opening statement.

    • Listen carefully to other participants as they make their opening statements.

    • Keep within time limit on your opening statement.

    • There should be a conflict of ideas, but not of personalities. Remember, this is a discussion, not a debate.

    • Beware of audience, but not to the exclusion of the discussion group. (Talk loudly enough to be heard by all of the audience.)

    • Be prepared to ask questions, state facts and opinions, and urge others to be specific.

    • Participate whenever it will contribute to furthering the discussion without monopolizing the time.

    • Be enthusiastic and, in general, use logic rather than emotion.

    • Make notes of key points as the discussion proceeds for use in summary statement.

    • Use the one-minute time to organize your summary statement.

    • Stand and make your closing statement to the audience use accepted speech technique stay within time limit.

• The participants' responsibilities are to exchange ideas and information in an effort to solve the problems inherent in the topic. The discussion should not be "conversation" or aimless talk nor should the participants look upon their role as that of persuasive speakers. They should attempt to cooperatively provide further information on the topic and tentatively retain a flexible position. Participants should reguard themselves as productive thinkers rather than as emotional persuaders. Thus, they are free to say what they believe and to change their minds whenever new information and ideas become the reasonable thing to do.

• Finally, this is not symposium wherein each participant makes a presentation in his or her proper turn with the moderator ending the session with a summary. Rather, it is the technique of letting the participants talk freely with the questions, answers, and statements coming from any person at any time. Furthermore, this event is not a debate.

• Generally speaking, the discussion should follow these steps:

  • Statement of problem or need.

  • Explore, define, understand problem or need.

  • Discover all possible alternative solutions.

  • Evaluate and compare alternatives.

  • Test and project what appears to be the best solutions.

  • Indicate ways to implement (course of action).