Youth Leadership Development: Perceptions and Preferences of Urban Students Enrolled in a Comprehensive Agriculture Program

Abstract

This descriptive study explores the perceptions of and preferences for leadership development by students enrolled in a comprehensive urban agriculture program. A total of 284 students from theChicagoHigh School for Agricultural Sciences participated in the study. The results of the study showed that the average respondent was involved in a limited number of school organizations and no community organizations and received the opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills most frequently through sports, work, and FFA. Furthermore, respondents indicated that quality leadership activities should be organized, fun, interactive, and provide real-world application. Respondents also reported that they preferred training to occur within their school, through national workshops, or via international experiences. These findings are instrumental in the discussion of students' awareness of the importance of leadership in their everyday lives, how they currently learn and practice leadership skills, and what quality factors should be considered when developing future leadership experiences.