on what is known about them, whether or not the benefits are wanted, and whether or not

the costs can be afforded (Hansen, 1995).

 Brown (1989) tested several of the most prominent interest group theories by

examining membership in five state affiliates of the AFBF, but offered no concrete

conclusions except for the need of additional research on why people join interest groups

and what factors determine the membership levels.

Summary of Farm Bureau as a Political Interest Group

 The AFBF has received extensive research and theoretical treatments by social

scientists, as it is an economic lobby which represents a large constituency. Several

theories by prominent social scientists were introduced in regards to group membership

such as: selective benefits, disturbances, exchange of benefits, and costs of benefits for

belonging to organizations. In addition to being a political interest group, the AFBF is a

grassroots organization which derives its power from its members on the county level. A

discussion of grassroots organizations follows.

 Grassroots Organizations

 In addition to being a political interest group, the AFBF is also a grassroots

organization. Smith (2000) defines grassroots associations as, "locally based,

significantly autonomous, volunteer-run, formal nonprofit groups that manifest

substantial voluntary altruism as groups and use the associational form of organization

and, thus, have official memberships of volunteers who perform most, and often all, of

the work/activity done in and by these nonprofits" (p. 7). Throughout history and

cultures, people have organized themselves to find solutions to specific problems through

grassroots efforts (Wittig, 1996).