Understanding Characteristics, Uses, Perceptions, and Barriers Related to School Farms in Oregon

Abstract

The relevance of experiential learning and opportunities a school farm can provide, along with the acknowledgment of potential barriers and the current deficit of research on school farms in Oregon make this study useful as a starting point in this line of exploration and in the preparation of teacher candidates. This study intended to gather descriptive data concerning school farms to gain a better understanding of the characteristics, uses, perceptions, and barriers to utilizing school farms as an experiential learning tool for students. Williams and McCarthy (1985) indicated utilizing school farms as a teaching-learning resource could benefit agricultural education programs, and Rose (2004) suggested we begin to reconsider how the school and workplace are connected. Approximately half of the agricultural education teachers in Oregon have access to a school farm. The primary facilities available on Oregon school farms were for equipment and tool storage and animal projects, with SAE and laboratory instruction being the main uses for students. Factors and barriers consist of the condition of the school farm, facilities, finances, and the ability of the teacher to oversee and to engage all students in the activity.