About Us

Mission

The mission of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association is to educate and promote the agriculture industry.

Young Farmers' Association Handbook

Goals of Adult Education in Agriculture

The adult education in agriculture program provides individual and group organized instruction to agriculturists and consumer public in the local community. Specifically, the program is designed to assist those in production, agriculture, and agribusiness to become successfully established or to improve their current agricultural status. Also, an educational focus is to improve understanding and communication between the consumer public and the agricultural community regarding common concerns and issues.

Objectives

At its strategic planning session in September, PYFA leadership discussed the current stated objectives of the organization and evaluated them by dividing them into four categories. As they sought to streamline the objectives and make them relevant, they created objectives below which will be presented to the Board at its October meeting for consideration and discussion. We welcome input from members.

Communication
• To communicate with stakeholders, individuals and organizations outside of PYFA.

Education
• To provide instructional opportunities (either in a classroom or on−site settings) with support from professionals to aid agriculturalists in maximum efficiency.
•To educate the consumer in the areas of agriculture that affect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
•To provide those in production and agribusiness careers the necessary support for sound business organization, record keeping, farm laws, estate planning, etc.

Leadership
•To provide state officer leadership training.
•To provide leadership training for all members.
•To provide state officer leadership training, as well as provide leadership development for all members.

Networking
•Provide educational networking opportunities through recreational and social activities.
•To communicate and partner with agricultural organizations to enhance e cooperation and learning at all levels of agricultural education.

Dr. Lisa Holden led PYFA′s leadership in a day long session of reviewing the mission statement and objectives and planning for a more dynamic future for PYFA. PYFA leadership worked diligently and thoughtfully as they met in State College in September.

Constitution and Bylaws
Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association, Inc.

• ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
  
  • Section A. Name
    
    The name of this organization shall be the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association. Local chapters shall use the same name except that the name Pennsylvania shall be deleted and suitable local name substituted.
  • Section B. Purposes
    
    The purposes for which this organization is formed are:
    

    1. To develop competent, aggressive, rural and agricultural leadership
    2. To create and nurture a love of country life.
    3. To encourage members in the development of individual farming programs and establishment in farming.
    4. To encourage and practice conservation.
    5. To provide and encourage the development of organized rural recreational activities.
    6. To encourage members to improve the farm home.
    7. To develop character, train for useful citizenship and foster patriotism.
    8. To acquaint members with agriculture legislation.
    9. To assist and cooperate with other farm organizations and the FFA.
    10. To promote better consumer-producer relationships and study market conditions.
    11. To actively promote studies of the economics of Farm Financial Management and Marketing.


• ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION
  
  • Section A.
    
    The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association is a state organization made up of members from affiliated local chapters.
  
  
  • Section B. Local Chapters
    1. A chapter shall be considered active upon application for a charter and payment of annual dues.
    2. Local chapters shall be composed of any person(s) interested in adult agricultural education. The Pennsylvania School Code provides the foundation for local adult programs.
  
  
  • Section C.
    1. The State Advisor of the FFA as employed by the PA Dept. of Education shall be the State Advisor of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association.
    2. Each local chapter should have an advisor which may be an instructor teaching agriculture.
    3. There shall be a State Young Farmers Advisory Council for Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association. The members of the Advisory Council shall serve on the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association but shall not be eligible to vote.
    4. The State Advisor shall be responsible for coordinating the appointment of Advisory Council members.


• ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
  
  • Section A. Types
    
    Membership in this organization shall be active, active married, affiliate, life, and honorary.
  
  
  • Section B. Active Annual Membership
    
    Any individual interested or actively engaged in farming or other related agricultural occupation or education shall be entitled to become an active member of a local chapter.
  
  
  • Section C. Active Life Membership
    
    Any individual interested or actively engaged in farming or other related agricultural occupation or education shall be entitled to become an active life member of the association.
  
  
  • Section D. Active Married Membership
    
    Any spouse of an active or life member shall be entitled to become an active married member.
  
  
  • Section E. Honorary Membership
    
    Any individual interested in the improvement of agricultural conditions in Pennsylvania may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting. Honorary members shall not vote nor hold office. They also will receive all publications produced by the organization.


• ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
  
  • Section A.
    
    The state officers of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President for each of the Northern, South Central, and Western Regions and two Vice Presidents from the Eastern Region, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Public Relations and State Advisor. These officers with the President of the Previous year and the members of the State Advisory Council shall constitute the Executive Board of the Organization.
    The membership chair is an appointed position and is a full voting member of the Executive Board.
    The Executive Board shall have full authority and control over the organization subject only to such regulations as The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association may adopt By- Laws as. The elective officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the delegates present at a regular state convention. The State Advisor and consultants of agricultural education will serve in an advisory capacity for local chapters.
  
  
  • Section B.
    
    All elective state officers shall hold office for one year after the election or until the election of their successor(s).
  
  
  • Section C.
    
    All questions involving the relationships between The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association, and the Pennsylvania Association of FFA; or the relationships between the Young Farmers Association and any farm organization shall be settled by a relationships committee. This committee shall consist of the President and the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers’ Association, the President and the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Association of FFA and the State Advisor.
  
  
  • Section D.
    
    The President and President-Elect shall be limited to a one (1) year term of office. All other officers except for the office of treasurer shall be limited to three (3) consecutive years in the same office or until a successor is elected.


• ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
  
  • Section A.
    
    Any state dues paying member (including state life membership) of a chapter active or inactive may have up to two (2) voting delegates at the annual conference provided those members are in attendance and no proxy voting shall be permitted.
  
  
  • Section B.
    
    During the annual conference session, the delegates present shall determine the place for the conference to be held two (2) years following the current conference.


• ARTICLE VI. DUES
  
  • Section A.
    
    Actual membership dues in the Pennsylvania Young Farmers’ Association including all privileges shall be fixed by the State Executive Board on the basis of a budget approved by the Advisor, and a majority vote of the delegates present at the annual conference.
  
  
  • Section B.
    
    Dues for life membership shall be 15 times the annual dues rate. Life membership for an active married member shall be 15 times the active married annual dues. Upon the death of the member, the invested dues will become a part of the state treasury.
  
  
  • Section C.
    
    Active married and affiliate membership dues shall be one half the rate of active membership.
  
  
  • Section D.
    
    Dues shall be due and payable starting January 1 of each year. A chapter will retain its active membership for a period of ninety days after the previous calendar year expires December 31.
  
  
  • Section E.
    
    Dues of any local chapter shall be fixed by a majority vote of the members of the chapter.


• ARTICLE VII. PROCEDURE
  
  • Section A.
    
    Parliamentary procedure of all meetings of this organization shall be in accordance with "Roberts Rules of Order."
  
  
  • Section B.
    
    A quorum for state conferences shall be delegates from not less than one third of the local young farmer chapters affiliated with the state organizations.
  
  
  • Section C.
    
    A quorum for the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the members of the board. The executive board shall elect members to fill any vacancy in the committee created by resignation, death, and the like, until the next annual meeting of the association.


• ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS
  
  • Section A.
    
    Amendments to the State Constitution or By-Laws shall be submitted in writing first to the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association Executive Board for consideration. They shall then prepare the amendments for the vote of the delegates assembled at the annual conference.
  
  
  • Section B.
    
    Constitution and By-Laws may be adopted to fit the needs of any local chapter providing they are not in conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association.


• ARTICLE IX. DISSOLUTION
  
  Upon the dissolution of the corporation or the organization, the Board of Directors or governing staff shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation or organization, dispose of all the assets of the corporation or organization in such manner, or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization(s) under section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors or governing staff shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation or organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

BY-LAWS

• ARTICLE I. ORGANIZATION
  
  • Section A. Method of Issuing Charters to Chapters.
    
    The secretaries of the Local chapters shall submit with their applications for charters the following information:
    1. A copy of the local chapter's Constitution and By-Laws that must not conflict with the State Constitution and By-Laws.
    2. A copy of the local chapter's program of work for the coming year.
    3. The name and addresses of the local officers, members and advisor.
    4. The application for a charter to the State Advisor shall be signed by the President, Secretary and Advisor of the local chapter and shall be accompanied by a fee of $2.00 to cover the cost of the charter engraving, postage, etc. A charter will be granted upon such application accompanied with dues for each member provided the proposed Constitution and By-Laws are not in conflict with the State Young Farmers Constitution and By-Laws.
    5. The Executive Board of The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association shall have the power to suspend such charter upon receipt of evidence of infringement of the provisions of the State Constitution and By-Laws of The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association.
• ARTICLE II. OFFICERS
  
  • Section A. Elections
    
    1. The state officers will be elected by secret ballot by a majority vote of the delegates present at the annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers’ Association.
    2. The chairperson of the nominating committee shall be the President Elect.
    3. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the state president and shall consist of one delegate from each of the regions of the state.
    4. The nominating committee shall nominate well-qualified members for state officers. Nominations may also be made from the floor of the conference following the report of the nominating committee provided the nominee has given consent for this name being placed in nomination.
    5. The candidate for President shall be the President-Elect who shall have served as an officer prior to being elected President-Elect.
  
  
  • Section B. Duties
    1. President
       1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all meetings of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers’ Association and of the Executive Board.
       2. The President shall call special meetings of the State Association or of the Executive Board when requested to do so by a majority vote of the State Executive Board or by the State Advisor.
       3. The President shall appoint all special committees and may serve as an ex-officio member of these committees.
       4. The delegate to the National Summer Conference and the Winter Institute shall be the president and the past president. Should either of the presidents not be able to attend, the president-elect shall fill in and then the Regional vice-presidents starting with seniority.
          1. All delegates shall be reimbursed by the treasurer for travel and basic registration only, including basic hotel rate.
          2. Most economic rate for travel east of the Mississippi River.
          3. Plane fare for west of the Mississippi River.
          4. The reimbursement applies to delegates only, not spouses or guests.
    2. Past President
       1. The delegate to the National Summer Conference and the Winter Institute shall be the president and the past president. Should either of the presidents not be able to attend, the president-elect shall fill in and then the Regional vice-presidents starting with the seniority.
          1. All delegates shall be reimbursed by the treasurer for travel and basic registration only, including basic hotel rate.
          2. Most economic rate for travel east of the Mississippi River
          3. Plane fare for west of the Mississippi River.
          4. The reimbursement applies to delegates only, not spouses or guests.
    3. President-Elect
       1. The President-Elect shall assume all duties of the President in the event that the office becomes vacant by resignation or otherwise.
       2. The President-Elect shall preside over all meetings in the absence of the President.
       3. The President-Elect shall serve as a representative of PYFA on the Foundation Board of Directors.
    4. Vice President
       1. A Vice President shall be elected from each of the areas designated. Northern Region − Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Elk, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Wyoming South Central Region − Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, York Western Region − Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland
       2. Two Vice Presidents shall be elected from the following area: Eastern Region − Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill.
       3. The Regional Vice Presidents shall assist the local chapters in their activities. They shall assume the leadership in their regions in completing such state activities as are assigned them by the state Executive Board.
    5. Secretary
       1. The secretary shall perform the duties common to such an office, such as keeping an accurate record of the minutes of the state association, or the minutes of the Executive Board, one copy of which shall be given to the State Advisor for the permanent files and one copy for his/her own files. A copy shall be sent to the secretary of each local chapter affiliated with the State Association and members of the Executive Board and advisory committees.
    6. Treasurer
       1. The treasurer shall perform those duties common to such an office and other duties as directed by the State Advisor or the Executive Board.
    7. Director of Public Relations
       1. It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Relations to assist with the publications of any state report and prepare news notes suitable for publications on all meetings of the state association. Other duties may be assigned by the Executive Board.
    8. State Advisor
       1. The state advisor is an ex-officio member of the Executive Board and all other committees. It is his duty to advise the Executive Board and other committees on matters of policy and assist the state officers in conducting the meeting and programs.
       2. The state advisor shall review all official state reports, pass on all applications for state and national honors, and other business of a statewide nature. His/her word shall be final in case of interpretation of this Constitution and By-Laws between the regular state meeting or meetings of the Executive Board.
       3. He shall review all reports from the local chapters and inform the Executive Board of any proceedings which appear to conflict with the provisions of the state constitution.
       4. He shall serve as advisor at all statewide meetings of the state association and perform such duties as may pertain to the furtherance of the organization.
• ARTICLE III. COMMITTEES
  
  • Section A.
    The Executive Board shall be empowered to perform all business of the state association between annual meetings.
• ARTICLE IV. OFFICIAL COLORS
  
  • Section A.
    The official colors of the organization shall be blue and gold.
• ARTICLE V. OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONY
  
  • President: This meeting of the (Chapter Name) Young Farmers Association will now come to order.
  • The Chaplain will now lead us in prayer.
    Chaplain: The (Chapter Name) Young Farmers Association dedicates itself through this meeting to establish sound agricultural practices on our farms, increase our skills and our education practices on our farms, increase our skills and our educational knowledge and to create and nurture a love of farm living; our aims are to accomplish these purposes.
  • President: I now declare this meeting duly opened for the transaction of business.
  • (Closing Ceremony)
    • President: As we adjourn this meeting, may our friendship ties be strengthened, our search for knowledge motivated and each of us go forth better prepared to meet the challenge of the future.
• ARTICLE VI. OUTSTANDING AWARDS
  
  • Section A
    There shall be an awards program. The Executive Board shall appoint an awards committee to determine the various categories and the number of awards to be presented annually.
    1. The persons selecting these award winners shall be a three-member committee; one from the state office, one from The Pennsylvania State University, and one from The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Advisory Committee.
    2. The completed awards forms shall be in the hands of the Public Relations Director by November 15 of the given year.

Bureau of Career and Technical Education (CTE)

CTSOs are nonprofit, intracurriculur associations for students. Pennsylvania coordinates eight student organizations that provide career awareness, leadership, motivation, and recognition for career related skills. The Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are an extension of the classroom instructional program by integrating academics and career and technical skills into real work experiences. For further information, please contact CTE Office, Division of Professional Development & Support Services, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, 333 Market Street1 Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 (717) 783-6867 Website

Board Minutes (all items below in PDF format)

      PYFA Executive Board Meeting Minutes Sept 2022

      PYFA Delegate Meeting 2022

      PYFA Meeting Minutes December 2023

      PYFA Meeting Minutes February 2022

      PYFA Delegate Meeting 2023

      PYFA February, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes

      PYFA Delegate Meeting Feb, 2020 (DRAFT)

      PYFA October, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

      PYFA July, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

      PYFA March, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

      PYFA February, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

      February 2018 Executive Board Meeting Minutes

      March 2018 Executive Board Meeting Minutes

      July 2018 Executive Board Meeting Minutes

      October 2018 Executive Board Meeting Minutes

      February 2018 Delegate Mtg. Minutes

      December 2017 Board Mtg. Minutes

      October 2017 Board Mtg. Minutes

      July 2017 Board Mtg. Minutes

      March, 2017 Board Minutes

PAST PRESIDENTS OF PYFA

PYFA HONORARY MEMBERS