Become a Member

Why Does FRI Exist?

FRI believes that production agriculture is a fundamental component to the U.S. economy and the world supply of food. Since farming is so important to the well-being of all U.S. citizens, FRI wants to see U.S. agriculture continue operating in an efficient and profitable basis. This involves efforts to understand the needs of farmers at all levels of operation. Therefore, FRI tries to answer questions such as the following with its market research:

	What are farmers' needs in respect to supplies used in their production of food?
	What are their habits in buying and using fertilizers, livestock feed, petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, tires and buildings; etc.?
	What are their needs for credit? Use of credit?
	How do they market their products? Are there better marketing methods?
	Where do they get information to assist them in their operation?
	What motivates them to stay in farming and to function as they do?

What does a panel member do?

A panel member participates in eight to twelve mail surveys a year.

The member is assigned an identification number which is utilized on each survey to insure confidentiality.

At the beginning of each year, the member completes a Personal Data Sheet which allows FRI to monitor the panel's demographics. The Personal Data Sheet asks questions about the member, including age of primary decision maker, the number of acres tilled, and range of value of products sold during the calendar year. This information is kept strictly confidential and never revealed to FRI's clients.

The surveys are to be completed within a specified period of time, usually within three weeks.

Merit points are awarded for each study completed and returned on time.

A member can be removed from the panel at anytime per their request and merit points may be redemed.

What are the benefits of being a panel member?

A panel member has the opportunity to voice his or her opinions, attitudes and preferences directly to the agribusinesses and organizations that serve production agriculture. This feedback allows the businesses to serve their clientele better with improved products and services.

Panel members are also compensated by receiving merit points and redeeming them for premiums.

How does the merit points system work?

A panel member receives the assigned merit points for each study completed and returned on time.

The panel member receives a 50% bonus in merit points at the end of the year if he or she has returned all the studies. If only one study is missed, a 25% bonus is received.

The merit points are accumulated and can then be used to obtain premiums listed in FRI's brochure.

Categories in the premium brochure include men's and women's gifts, household goods/ family use, sports equipment, hunting/fishing/camping equipment, toys and games, and books.

The merit points may be redeemed at any time as long as there are sufficient point accumulated for the desired item(s).

The merit points do not have to be used in the year they are earned. They may accumulate as long as the panel member remains active. The points are accumulated by transferring the year end balance of merit points to the following year.

Merit points are redeemable up to three months after a panel member ceases to be an active participant.

Each panel member is notified of his or her accumulated balance or merit points once a year.

Who can become a panel member?

Any person who is actively involved in production agriculture in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin or Indiana.