No abstract available

As society becomes more diverse, it is critical that educators provide multiple levels and types of experiences for our students to engage and interact in a multicultural environment. Due to institutional, geographic, and/or departmental demographics, many collegiate students can complete their baccalaureate degree program with limited interaction with individuals from different cultures or ethnic groups. This study utilized a service learning activity as a bridge between a minority-based collegiate organization and an adolescent leadership development class. Participants provided input and reflection on their participation in this event. Four themes: fear of the unknown, moving out of your comfort zone, group activity, and personal impact, emerged from this study that will be used to shape and direct future multicultural service learning activities. Findings support the use of service learning as a positive vehicle to expose students to individuals from different cultures and as a model for future multicultural learning activities with youth based organizations.

FFA and 4-H are two youth-based organizations that cite leadership development as a key foundational component. The purpose of this study was to review and document the historical development of leadership events and activities in both programs. Evidence can be found of leadership development in schools, conferences, and camps. Leadership-related events evolved into public-speaking contests, debates, farm demonstrations, and implementation of chapter and club programs of activities. Leadership resources from both organizations include official manuals, convention proceedings, advisor/leader handbooks, textbooks, and state and national magazines. Historically, both organizations provided members multiple opportunities to develop leadership behaviors, skills, and characteristics through knowledge and skill acquisition, participation in community and civic activities, and in the transition into the workforce and/or postsecondary education.

In this application brief I share a case study assignment

As the source of students shifts from rural to urban and suburban communities, students entering agricultural programs have less practical livestock experience. The career goals indicated by most of these students require knowledge of and experience with practical applications of their course work. The objective of this study was to examine the profile of students enrolled in an experiential beef cattle course 1) to describe the demographic and occupational characteristics of students enrolled and 2) to assess the perceived value of course activities to graduates completing the course as related to their skill attainment and career development. The questionnaire was sent to all 312 students who were enrolled in the course from 1983 to 1996. Over 61% of the respondents indicated they had enrolled in the course to gain experience working with beef cattle. Over 39% took the course to enhance their application to the College of Veterinary Medicine. When asked to rate the value of the course, as it related to skill development, they noted it was most helpful in teaching cattle handling skills, growth performance measurement, live animal evaluation, nutritional management, carcass and meat product value determination, and breed identification.