Expectations of vocational agriculture by citizens of the Fairview community

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Questionnaires were mailed to 50 citizens of the Fairview community. The survey was designed to determine the attitudes of the respondents regarding the vocational agriculture program with particular emphasis upon: (1) general agriculture and the high school curriculum; (2) classroom instruction; (3) supervised occupational experience program; (4) the role of the FFA; (5) agricultural mechanics; and (6) the Young Farmers program. The respondents included all five school administrators, all five members of the board of education, 20 randomly selected businessmen, and 20 randomly selected FFA parents.

Findings and Conclusions: The major findings concerning programs for high school students and adults were: (1) vocational agriculture should provide opportunities that will give a student knowledge of and experience in the farming business and in occupations closely related to farming; (2) the subject areas of the classroom should parallel the agricultural industry of the local community and regular visits and field trips should be made to these facilities; (3) the supervised occupational experience program is a necessary part of the program that converts classroom instruction to practical experience, also production projects should be emphasized more and the students should be encouraged to exhibit their animals at fairs and shows; (4) all students are encouraged to become FFA members and become involved in some type of contests, public speaking, or chapter projects, also the chapter should publicize its activities more and review these activities with the school administrators; (5) the agricultural mechanics program is a vital part of the vocational agriculture program and should emphasize skills acquisition as well as metal work and project completion; and (6) the program should assist young men who have completed the vocational agriculture program in progressing in their agricultural careers, and a Young Farmers Chapter should be provided to accomplish this.

Implications: The vocational agriculture program is expected to provide training to students which will produce a basic foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to survive in the farming business or occupations closely related to the farming industry.