Table 4-29. Continued
 Mean Mean Gaps
 Importance Proficiency


Participate in state government meetings
impacting agriculture


5.5 4.3 1.2


 Develop relationships with elected officials on the 5.7 4.7 1.0
 state level
 Identify the political structure in Washington, 5.1 4.1 1.0
 D.C.
 Participate in county government meetings 5.8 4.9 0.9
 impacting agriculture
 Analyze agricultural issues on the state level 5.5 4.6 0.9
 Analyze policy development on issues that affect 5.5 4.6 0.9
 Farm Bureau on the state level
 Analyze agricultural issues on the national level 5.2 4.3 0.9
 Determine how policy decisions made in 5.2 4.3 0.9
 Washington, D.C. impact Farm Bureau
 Choose ways to be more politically active 5.5 4.7 0.8
 Identify the political structure in Tallahassee 5.4 4.6 0.8
 Develop relationships with elected officials on the 5.9 5.2 0.7
 county level
 Explain agricultural issues on the county level 5.8 5.1 0.7
 Analyze policy development on issues that affect 5.7 5.0 0.7
 Farm Bureau on the county level
 Demonstrate ability to be involved in local 5.5 4.8 0.7
 government
 Determine how policy decisions are made in 5.5 4.8 0.7
 Tallahassee impact Farm Bureau
 Demonstrate ability to formulate policy 5.2 4.5 0.7
 Support Farm Bureau legislative activities 5.8 5.2 0.6
 Identify the importance of regulatory agencies 5.5 4.9 0.6
 Demonstrate knowledge of the political process 5.5 5.0 0.5

 Total Mean 5.5 4.7 0.8
 Cronbach's Alpha 0.98


 The scores in the effective board section had a narrower range between the two

means (MI=6.1, MP=5.9), which indicated that the mean scores of the importance

competencies were only slightly higher than the mean scores of the proficiency

competencies. Only two, "participate in Farm Bureau sponsored programs" (MI=5.7,

MP=5.3) and "represent Farm Bureau to others in the community" (MI=6.1, MP=5.7)