Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School
 of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the
 Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

 LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS
 OF THE FLORIDA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

 By

 Hannah S. F. Carter

 August 2004


Chair: Rick Rudd
Major Department: Agricultural Education and Communication

 The purpose of this study was to determine the leadership expectations and

perceptions of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. This study was conducted in three

parts. The first part was composed of qualitative interviews with seven officials of the

Florida Farm Bureau Federation; questions were developed to determine the expectations

of state officials of county board members and the necessary leadership skills that county

Farm Bureau board members should possess.

 The second part of the study was a quantitative instrument, which was developed

from the competencies that came from the first phase of the study. A sample of 280

county Farm Bureau members were given this instrument, which was comprised of four

theme areas: leadership, political process, effective boards, and knowledge of Farm

Bureau, with a total of 66 competencies. Participants were asked to rate how important