Factors Influencing An Agricultural Education Student's Perception Of The FFA Organization

Abstract

The FFA is a learning tool that both enhances and supplements instruction. While agricultural education prepares students for careers, the FFA prepares students for a broad range of community interests. This systematic program of leadership, personal growth, and career success is the essential purpose of this student organization. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference between FFA members and non-members as to their perception of the overall image of the FFA, and to determine if students' perceptions of the image of the FFA are influenced by social and demographic characteristics. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to 404 students enrolled in the Agriscience Applications course in 27 high schools in North Carolina. It can be concluded that: A student's decision to join or not join the FFA is influenced by their perception of the image of FFA in their school. Students tend to join and participate in the FFA based upon the organization's ability to meet a student's need for a sense of belonging. Based upon the responses of members, the social aspects of the organization were motivating factors in their desire to be members.