Interdiciplinary Entrepreneurial Leadership Eduction and the Development of Agricultural Innovators

Abstract

This article qualitatively explores the potential of entrepreneurial leadership curricula to encourage interdisciplinary interest in agricultural issues and prompt diverse student engagement in agricultural leadership and innovation. The study focuses specifically on the activities and perspectives of 15 undergraduate students who completed an interdisciplinary entrepreneurial leadership course offered at a large land grant university located in the Southwestern region of the United States. The student participants, who worked in teams of two to three to develop innovative solutions to current agricultural challenges, represented 15 different fields of study - 12 of which were outside of the disciplinary scope of agriculture. The potential implications of expanding agricultural leadership education beyond the disciplinary boundaries of the agricultural fields through entrepreneurial leadership curricula are considered. Particular attention is given to the likely implications of interdisciplinary learning on the development of a diverse entrepreneurial workforce that is motivated and equipped to lead in the initiation and implementation of agricultural innovation. The insights generated by the study illuminate the potential benefits associated with the development of interdisciplinary agricultural leadership curricula that supports the training and development of entrepreneurial leaders who can effectively forge and advance agricultural innovation.