Determining the training needed for selected farm related occupations in four counties in Oklahoma

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Personal interviews were conducted with predetermined, important selected farm related occupations to see what the trend will be in the near future concerning employment opportunities, and the training needed for working in these farm related businesses. The five farm related occupations used in this study were: Farm Machinery; Dairy Processing; Buildings and Structures; Nursery Production; and Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer. The average rating of the 63 farm related businesses concerning different areas of training was determined for indicating the importance of a particular area of training.

Findings and Conclusions: All farm related businesses showed an expected increase in employment with Nursery Production indicating the largest increase of 60 percent. Vocational agriculture was found to be important training and a farm background was of some value. Training in agronomy, farm mechanics, and farm business seemed to be important to Farm Machinery, Nursery Production, and to the Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer business, but only of some value to Buildings and Structures. The Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer, and Farm Machinery businesses said that some training in livestock and poultry was needed. Most businesses felt that FFA activities were of some benefit. English and basic arithmetic were highly important to all related occupations concerned. It was revealed that salesmanship was rated highly important by most of the related occupations. Training in science was of some importance. Buildings and Structures found industrial arts to be highly beneficial. All farm related occupations agreed that drivers' training was important. The Nursery Production felt additional training in horticulture is needed for working in that occupation.

It appears that teachers of vocational agriculture need to become more aware of the importance of present training in vocational agriculture for related occupations and how they could, at the same time, better utilize opportunities and possibilities for training for farm related occupations as well as for proficiency in farming.