Student Pre-University Experiences Toward Commitment to Agriculture

Authors

  • Daniel Robotham The Pennsylvania State University
  • Suzanna Windon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56103/nactaj.v67i1.74

Keywords:

student commitment, agriculture, pre-university, career selection

Abstract

University agricultural programs’ struggle to attract students is leading to a disparity in the number of available jobs in agriculture and the number of qualified applicants to fill these positions. This study sought to garner a unique students’ perspective of ways that universities and specifically agricultural programs can support and encourage them to commit to agricultural degree programs by understanding potential pre-university experiences that influence their decision to commit to agriculture long-term. We reported our findings based on 22 responses from students of two different US universities who filled out the open-ended questionnaire. From the responses, we found that before entering university, students’ farming-related activities and participation in school-based agriculture-related and research programs impacted their future commitment to agricultural degree programs. Moreover, scholarships, practical experience opportunities, and course-related actions at the university level also impacted students’ commitment to agricultural degree programs. We recommend continued research into students’ commitment to a career in agriculture. Additionally, expansion of primary and secondary school agricultural education programs and K-12 students’ participation in 4-H and FFA programs may increase their exposure to agricultural experiences. Providing greater financial assistance and university support to students in agriculture programs may also positively impact students’ commitment to agriculture long-term.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alston, A. J., Roberts, R., & English, C. W. (2019). Building a sustainable agricultural career pipeline: Effective recruitment and retention practices used by colleges of agriculture in the United States. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 3(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.9741/2578-2118.1073

Baker, L., Settle, Q., Chiarelli, C., & Irani, T. (2013). Recruiting strategically: Increasing enrollment in academic programs of agriculture. Journal of Agricultural Education, 54(3), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2013.03054

Bayer, National 4-H Council. (2018). Bayer facts of science education XIX (2018): Science matters: U.S. teachers and parents weigh in on ag science literacy and careers. https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018-Science-Matters-Agriscience-Survey-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Data USA. (n.d.). Agriculture: Contains STEM majors. Data USA. Retrieved May 17, 2022 from https://datausa.io/profile/cip/agriculture#employment

Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, phone, mail, and mixed mode surveys: The tailored design method (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Esters, L. T. (2007). Factors influencing postsecondary education enrollment behaviors of urban agricultural education students. Career and Technical Education Research, 32(2), 79–98. https://doi.org/10.5328/cter32.2.79

Fernandez, J. M., Goecker, A. D., Smith, E., Moran, E. R., & Wilson, C. A. (2020). Employment opportunities for college graduates in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment: United States, 2020-2025. National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved May 17, 2022 from https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/

-H. (n.d.). Ways to participate. 4-H.org. Retrieved June 17, 2022 from https://4-h.org/parents/ways-to-participate

Goecker, A., Smith, E., Fernandez, J. M., Ali, R., & Theller, R. (2015). Employment opportunities for college graduates in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment: United States, 2015–2020 (pp. 1–2). Purdue University. https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment//wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2-Page-USDA-Employ.pdf

Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687

Lerner, R. M., & Lerner, J. V. (2013). The positive development of youth: Comprehensive findings from the 4-h Study of positive youth development.

Martin, M., & Kitchel, T. (2014). Barriers to participation in the national FFA organization according to urban agriculture students. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55(1), 120–133. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2014.01120

McGovney-Ingram, R., Rutherford, T., & Larke, A. (2011). The voices of minority students in an agricultural communications and journalism program: A case study. Journal of Applied Communications, 95(2). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.1174

McKim, A. J., Sorensen, T. J., Velez, J. J., Field, K. G., Crannell, W. K., Curtis, L. R., Diebel, P. L., Stone, D. L., & Gaebel, K. (2017). Underrepresented minority students find balance in STEM: Implications for colleges and teachers of agriculture. NACTA Journal, 61(4), 317–323.

Myers, B. E., Breja, L. M., & Dyer, J. E. (2004). Solutions to recruitment issues of high school agricultural education programs. Journal of Agricultural Education, 45(4), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2004.04012

National FFA Organization. (2021). Growing leaders: 2021-22 fact sheet (pp. 1–4). National FFA Organization.

Rayfield, J., Murphrey, T. P., Skaggs, C., & Shafer, J. (2013). Factors that influence student decisions to enroll in a college of agriculture and life sciences. NACTA Journal, March, 88–93.

Rickard, J. W., Boerngen, M. A., Lorenz, S. M., & Baker, E. (2017). Assessing student demographics in a non-land-grant university department of agriculture. Natural Sciences Education, 46(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.4195/nse2017.09.0021

Riegle-Crumb, C., Peng, M., & Russo-Tait, T. (2020). Committed to STEM? Examining factors that predict occupational commitment among asian and white female students completing STEM U.S. postsecondary programs. Sex Roles, 82(1–2), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01038-8

Scott, F., & LaVergne, D. (2004). Perceptions of agriculture students regarding the image of agriculture and barriers to enrolling in an agriculture education class introduction/theoretical framework. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research, 54(1), 48–59.

Smith, M. F. (1989). Curricular Changes for Colleges of Agriculture : Student perceptions and future trends. NACTA Journal, 33(2), 17–21.

Smith-Hollins, C., Elbert, C. D., Baggett, C., & Wallace, S. (2015). Factors influencing enrollment in colleges of agriculture: Perspectives of students in 1862 land grant institutions. NACTA Journal, 59(3), 306–312.

Stair, K., Danjean, S., Blackburn, J. J., & Bunch, J. C. (2016). A major decision: Identifying factors that influence agriculture students’ choice of academic major. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 4(2), 111–125. https://www.jhseonline.com/article/view/701

Talbert, B. A., & Balschweid, M. A. (2004). Engaging students in the agricultural education model: Factors affecting student participation in the national FFA organization. Journal of Agricultural Education, 45(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2004.01029

Velez, J., Clement, H., & McKim, A. (2018). National participation in school-based agricultural education: Considering ethnicity, sex, and income. Journal of Agricultural Education, 59(1), 189–203. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2018.01189

Wildman, M. L., & Torres, R. M. (2001). Factors identified when selecting a major in agriculture. Journal of Agricultural Education, 42(2), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2001.02046

Wildman, M. L., & Torres, R. M. (2002). Factors influencing choice of major in agriculture. NACTA Journal, 46(3), 4–9.

Downloads

Published

06/07/2023

How to Cite

Robotham, D., & Windon, S. (2023). Student Pre-University Experiences Toward Commitment to Agriculture. NACTA Journal, 67(1). https://doi.org/10.56103/nactaj.v67i1.74

Issue

Section

Manuscripts