PSXVII-10 Application of a survey instrument for determining psychographic profiles of participants of the Dixie Nationals Sale of Junior Champions. (7th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Evans, H; Jousan, D; Memili, E; Beckman, L; Nicodemus, M
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 96(2018)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 198
• Publication Date: 2018-12-07
• Subjects: youth scholarship programs -- livestock sales -- survey instrument; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: The Sale of Junior Champions is a premier livestock auction and scholarship program held at Dixie Nationals as a part of Mississippi's junior livestock program for almost 50 years. The sale is open to 4-H and FFA members who exhibited and qualified their livestock at the annual Dixie Nationals Junior Round-Up. While this is a long-running program that has given out annually multiple scholarships, a survey study to determine psychographic profiles of program participants is lacking. Implementation of a survey instrument to determine participation in extension-based programs assists in future development and growth of these programs. Therefore, a survey instrument for the sale was designed with 10 forced-choice questions focused on psychographic data. Paper-format of the survey was distributed directly at the 2018 Sale of Junior Champions and an electronic version of the survey was sent via email and social media after the sale (n=176). According to survey responses, sale participation reflects a diverse group of attendees including 4-H/FFA members (22%), parents of participating youths (22%), volunteers (21%), extension employees/FFA advisors (22%), buyers/contributors (12%), and others (2%). Most of the participants (45%) were older (40–60 years old) with an equal representation of males (54%) and females (45%). The sale program seems to encourage dedicated annual participation as almost half of the respondents (43%) attended multiple times (6 or more times), while 10% were first-time attendees. Driving force for attendance seems to be the scholarships as 33% received or will receive a scholarship, while 32% attended to present qualified sale animals. While only 15% attributed attendance to being a scholarships sponsor, these individuals are valuable for future programs. Understanding the psychographic profile of sale participants will assist in future program growth and for locating groups where participation can be strengthened such as younger participants, first-time attendees, and scholarship sponsors.