Georgia Farm Bureau reaches 400,000 member milestone

by Gene Jacobs

Georgia Farm Bureau members attending the organization’s annual convention on Jekyll Island December 5–8, will celebrate a major organizational milestone of reaching a total membership of more than 400,000.

As a membership organization, Georgia Farm Bureau’s membership growth is the primary indicator of organizational stability and progress. During the past 10 years, Farm Bureau in Georgia has enjoyed tremendous progress in many areas. This progress has been visible throughout the state as many county Farm Bureau chapters have built new offices to better serve their fast growing membership base.

The success of Farm Bureau at the county, state and national levels depends greatly on the guidance given by members. Each county is governed and managed by a board elected from its membership. Likewise, the state and national Farm Bureaus are governed and managed by members elected to serve in leadership positions. This system ensures that the organization is very responsive to needs and issues faced by individual members and that money is spent in ways that will improve member service while maintaining a strong organization for the future.

Highlights of the past decade
In just 10 years Georgia Farm Bureau has increased by more than 150,000 members. That is half the time it took to add the preceding 150,000 members. The 159 county Farm Bureaus now average 2,550 members, an increase of 1,000 members per county in just 10 years. This tremendous growth has required many changes. For example, $20.2 million has been spent during the past decade to build new offices. In the past 10 years, 31 counties have bought their first offices, and all but eight counties in the state now have offices owned by their members. County equity has increased by 140% to a total of $24.7 million. This level of equity is very important if the organization is to continue meeting growth needs and providing first class service to all members.

Over the past 10 years, the officers and directors of Georgia Farm Bureau have sought to bring a high level of financial stability to the state organization. Georgia Farm Bureau’s equity has increased over 200%. Assets have continued to increase while liabilities have shown a steady and constant decline during this period.

Financial stability along with active member involvement allows Farm Bureau, as the largest farm organization in the state, to take a more active approach in meeting our organizational purpose of representing agriculture and rural Georgia. Legislative programs continue to be the centerpiece of organizational activities. Youth and educational programs are crucial to insure our children maintain an appreciation for the importance agriculture plays in our economy and our daily lives. In the past year, more than 50,000 children participated in educational youth activities sponsored by Farm Bureau.

Growth and greater financial stability offer both opportunities and challenges. Member service programs such as our discount prescription drug program, Dodge rebate program and Farm Bureau Connection long distance telephone service have been added to increase the value of membership in Farm Bureau. As the needs of our members change, challenges will continue. From the county to the state level, Georgia Farm Bureau will continue to strive to provide the best membership value available anywhere.


BY: Gene Jacobs, director of the GFB Field Services Department.