Study to show the effects of the Texas Young Farmer Tour of 1968 on the program of participants

Abstract

Scope of Study: The major purposes of the study were to ascertain the possible effectiveness of a tour of Texas Young Farmer Chapters by twenty-four vocational agriculture teachers and agricultural education professionals from Oklahoma in upgrading the nature and extent of young farmer programs in Oklahoma. Responses from teachers and others engaging in the tour were secured approximately one year after the tour was completed. It was assumed that one year after participation in the tour, teachers could recognize the nature and extent of benefits derived from their participation. Two hypotheses were examined: (1) It is hypothesized that in the majority of the departments having a vocational agriculture teacher participating in the tour, that substantial improvement has occurred in the educational programs with young farmers and adults; and (2) It is further hypothesized that a majority of teachers making the tour and not having young farmer chapters in operation would achieve a local organization within one year after the tour.

Finding and Conclusions: Results of the study clearly indicated acceptance of hypothesis number one. For the most part, teachers seem to indicate that the work of their functioning chapters had been greatly improved since returning from the tour. Considerable evidence was found in the expressions of teachers that their chapters were operating on a more democratic basis with involvement and responsibility assigned to and accepted by the rank and file of chapter members. Following the tour several chapters had adopted a constitution and spelled out quite specifically the purposes of their organization. Each of these programs had incorporated ideas from the Texas Young Farmer Tour. It is somewhat surprising to find that hypothesis number two regarding the organization of Young Farmer Chapters by participants not having chapters at the beginning of the t our must definitely be rejected . The same number of functioning chapters was reported after one year as that given prior to the tour. One chapter had been dis- banded with one new chapter being organized. It was quite evident, both from observation and through a consideration of the results, that a state organization was needed. Since the study a state organization has been formed with much credit being given to the enthusiastic participants making the tour. It is recommended that further tours of this type be arranged at least on alternate years.