CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS IN THE NATIONAL YOUNG FARMER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

The National Young Farmer Educational Association, Inc. (NYFEA) is the vocational student organization for those adults enrolled in agriculture classes, usually through the local vocational agriculture/agricultural education program. Since being incorporated as a non-profit, non-political educational association for agriculture in 1982, the organization has developed programs based on assumptions about the membership that may not have been true. This article reports on a doctoral study which sought to: develop a demographic profile of NYFEA members; examine involvement of NYFEA members in farm and off-farm employment; and, identify future plans of NYFEA members. A random sample was drawn of the 17,750 members nationally. A mailed questionnaire provided data for the study. NYFEA were 12 years younger than the national average for farmers; their farms were twice the size and they had a larger investment; NYFEA members sold twice the agricultural products; and, had a higher level of education than the average American farmer. Over one-third of NYFEA members worked off the farm and a majority planned to expand their farm operations. The age limitation on membership should be reexamined based on the findings of the study; demographics should be considered in developing curriculum and activities for the NYFEA.