TABLE OF CONTENTS
 page
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................... iv

ABSTRACT ......................................................................................ix

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................

 Background of the Study ...................................................................9
 Problem Statement .............................................................................11
 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................13
 Significance of the Study ............................................................. ...13
 Overview of Methodology .....................................................................14
 Delimitations of the Study .....................................................................16
 Definitions of Key Terms......................................................................16
 C onclusions....................................................................................... 17

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................ .............. 18

 History of Farm Bureau and Agricultural Organizations ................................ 19
 Farm Bureau as a Political Interest Group ..................................................26
 Grassroots Organizations ......................................................................30
 Motivations of Volunteers.....................................................................33
 Organizational Leadership .....................................................................45
 Social Capital ..............................................................................57
 Agricultural Leadership .......................................................................60
 Summary....................................................................................... 63

3 METHODS ................................................................................. 66

 Research Design ............................................................................67
 Research Context ...........................................................................72
 Research Participants .........................................................................72
 Instruments Used in Data Collection ........................................................ 75
 Data Analysis ................................................................................78
 Sum m ary ...................................................................................... ...81