Hayden Ballard of Enterprise, Utah won the 2024 Utah Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. The competition was concluded at the recent Utah Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Provo and is considered a top honor for young farmers and ranchers in Utah. 

The Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. More than a simple debate, this competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined agriculture topic. The judges look for a contestant who offers constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.

Participants build basic discussion skills, develop an understanding of important agricultural issues, and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach a consensus and solve problems. Successful participants are productive thinkers, rather than emotional persuaders, and assist the group in creating ways to implement the solutions discussed and highlight the Farm Bureau’s involvement in those steps.

“I loved being able to share ideas and discuss solutions to difficult topics impacting farmers and ranchers in this competition. I became an attorney focused on agricultural law because I saw a need for advocates for our farmers and ranchers in policy and law. More than just an exercise, this discussion meet helps us as young farmers and ranchers to better hone those needed advocacy and problem-solving skills,” Ballard said. “I’m proud to represent Utah and honored to be a part of an organization seeking to find solutions to preserve agriculture in our state.”

The competitors spoke on topics ranging from financial diversification and land ownership for young farmers to succession planning and land management.

Hayden and his wife, Linzy, live in Enterprise, Utah, where they just purchased their first home and piece of farmland. Hayden is a drought insurance agent and attorney for a nonprofit organization focused on land-use policy aimed at helping public lands grazers.

Hayden and his wife also work on the larger Ballard family ranch, while running their own small cattle ranch and direct-to-consumer beef business, utilizing private, state, and federal land.

Hayden competed with more than 15 other contestants from around the state in the competition. For winning the competition, he received an ATV courtesy of Intermountain Farmers Association (IFA) and Karl Malone Plaza Cycle, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation FUSION conference in Denver, Colorado in 2025.

Hayden will also compete at the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet against Discussion Meet winners from across the nation during its annual convention in San Antonio this January. National winners of the Discussion Meet receive $35,000 credit towards a new Ford vehicle in addition to the national young farmer conference. The runner-up receives $25,000 credit towards a new Case IH piece of equipment, courtesy of Case IH. Others receive prizes courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.