Attitudes of University of Illinois College of Agriculture Freshmen Toward Agriculture

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes and intentions of University of Illinois College of Agriculture freshmen toward high school and university agriculture programs and the field of agriculture in an effort to better identify, recruit, and retain students in the College. Results indicated that a majority of freshmen students were female, Caucasian, had no background in agriculture, and viewed agriculture as being both scientific and technical. Students also believed high school agriculture to be good preparation for college. Whereas attitudes were generally positive, only about 60% of the freshmen class intended to graduate with a major in the College of Agriculture. However, of the students who had completed some high school agriculture, approximately 95% intended to graduate with a major in the College. That percentage increased to nearly 98% if the student had been an FFA member. Also, 86% of students who had been members of 4-H indicated they intended to graduate with majors in the College of Agriculture. Freshmen who completed high school agriculture programs indicated more positive attitudes toward university agriculture programs, high school agriculture programs, and agriculture as a career than did students with no high school agriculture experience.

Factors Influencing Enrollment in an Urban Agricultural Education Program

“…For example, the lack of adequate high school agriculture enrollment can translate at the post-secondary level into fewer students with agricultural training entering colleges of agriculture (Dyer & Breja, 2003). Additionally, low enrollments can result in colleges that are unable to recruit and retain students with agricultural backgrounds which translate into the loss of millions of dollars for universities (Dyer, Lacey, & Osborne, 1997). Decreased enrollments at the secondary level can also affect the supply and demand for agriculture teachers as well as other areas of the agriculture industry.…”

Urban Youth Perceptions of Agriculture

“…The project's research team identified questionnaire items used in previous studies with similar purposes (Cecchettini, Sommer, & Leising, 1992;Dyer, Breja, & Andreasen, 1999;Dyer, Lacey, & Osborne, 1996;Faulkner, Baggett, Bowen, & Bowen, 2009;Wildman & Torres, 2001) The questionnaire was field-tested with a similar population of students from a different high school and found to be reliable ( = .70).…”

Variables that Influence Student Performance in an Introductory Soils Class

“…Suggested variables include learning style (field‐independent, field‐dependent, field‐neutral), critical thinking disposition, class attendance (Fidanza, 2006), work ethic, study habits, emotional state, socioeconomic status, extracurricular activities, and classification. Participation in 4‐H/FFA activities should also be included in product variable inquiry of post‐secondary agricultural education settings (Ball et al, 2001; Dyer et al, 1996; Dyer and Breja, 1999). These variables could potentially be used by instructors to identify potential unsatisfactory and satisfactory outcomes in agricultural courses.…”