sionals. These observers see the failure of the
Journal to follow this “proceedings-type” for-
mat and to fill this role as a disappointment.
WHAT FUTURE FOR SAEA?
Institutions that thrive over time are those
that adapt successfully, that effectively con-
tinue to meet the needs of the membership.
Quite simply, how well SAEA does in the
years ahead will depend upon how well it can
meet that challenge. And, it is quite a
challenge because of the wide diversity of the
membership.
Gessaman, in writing about the Western
Agricultural Economics Association (WAEA),
had defined four constituencies in a profes-
sional association: the “leading edge” of the
profession, concerned more with disciplinary
interests than the immediate relevancy of
their work; persons with problem∕locality-
oriented professional interests who desire to
participate in professional interchange with
others of similar interests through the
Association (the “proceedings” types); per-
sons with professional interests focused on
problems of particular importance in the
region; and a more nebulous constituency, the
“silent majority,” who at times likely identify
with one or more of the other three constit-
uencies. Meeting the needs of such diverse
groups and incorporating so many visions of
the future of the Association into coherent, ef-
fective plans is quite a challenge indeed.
What likely will be some of the primary con-
cerns of these groups in the future that the
Association must address if it is to avoid
stagnation and a dwindling membership?
I suggest there are two broad categories of
concerns, those peculiar to the SJAE and
those that face the profession at large as well
as Southerners. Of the former, the future role
of the Journal (or more broadly, communica-
tions among the membership) will require con-
tinuing examination, soul searching, and
debate. Some will argue to continue it just as
it is, while others will want fundamental
changes, and all for very good reasons. The
pitfalls are clear but hard to avoid. To make it
into more of a national journal obviously
would appeal to the “leading edge” constit-
uency but not to those favoring a strong and
growing regional and applications focus. And,
others would prefer still other courses such as
returning it to more of an ideas exchange
(“proceedings type”), or adding other com-
munications outlets, like the AAEA finally did
with Choices magazine. Since the Journal and
the annual meetings are the major benefits
that many professionals see to membership in
the Association, satisfaction with the Journal
(or other communications outlets) will be
closely tied to satisfaction with the Associ-
ation.
There are other issues peculiar to the SJAE
that you will know better than I, and I will not
emphasize these. I also suggest there will be
other issues of a broader nature, perhaps af-
fecting the entire profession and on which an
association will be expected to provide leader-
ship. These might include such topics as the
perceived inattention of the profession to
technological change and its impacts on farm-
ing and the food system and to structure/
concentration in certain aspects of the
marketing system; problems emerging from
lack of familiarity with agriculture among pro-
fessionals; insufficient responsiveness of the
university programs to meet the needs of
agribusiness; communicating the benefits of
social science research to the public generally
and more directly to those who decide upon
the funding support; and then some very con-
troversial ones such as whether there is a bias
in the profession against extension workers,
and publication procedures for research
reports in government agencies.
How well the Association provides leader-
ship and responds to the membership in ad-
dressing such issues will in large part deter-
mine its health over the years.
CONCLUSIONS
On the twentieth anniversary of its founding,
the SAEA would appear to merit more than
passing marks. Based on my conversations
with people who should know, it is generally
adjudged to have fulfilled most of the expecta-
tions that the original founders held for it.
The SAEA, as all professional organiza-
tions, faces continued change and adaptation
and must continue to evolve if it is to remain
an important element of the professional life
in the southern region. The SAEA generally
is perceived as having encouraged the discus-
sion of divergent views, perhaps more than
other associations, and continuing to do so will
stand it in good stead in the future.
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