AN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON CHANGES NEEDED IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CURRICULA

Abstract

If agricultural education programs are to survive, they must be dynamic and able to adjust to new situations and environments that help to improve the on-the-job effectiveness of future graduates. The purpose of the study was to identify appropriate modifications for the agricultural education curricula being offered by the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at The Pennsylvania State University. Data for the study were collected via a focus group technique. Four focus groups consisting of 42 people participated in the study. The findings indicated that employers in the agribusiness industry recognized the need for changes in the agricultural education curricula to include the incorporation of an agricultural industry option. The most mentioned business skills included human relations, organizational, managerial, and analytical thinking. The respondents also recognized the need for employees to work together in teams and the critical need for leadership skills. The results of this study suggest that there is potential for an agricultural industry option to be incorporated into the major. Participants felt that students pursuing a major in agricultural education should have the opportunity to select between preparation for formal educational settings or non-formal educational jobs in agricultural industry.