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.