REINVENTING CAREER EDUCATION AND RECRUITMENT IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOR THE 21S T CENTURY

Abstract

Supplying a well-trained workforce for agriculture should be a primary goal of the education community. This is an issue of particular importance to rural areas struggling with declining tax bases, outmigration of their most capable young persons, and decaying infrastructures. This study examined career aspirations among middle school youth in one rural New York State community to determine the level of interest in agriculture careers as well as interest in other occupations that would be available in a broadly defined agriculture industry. Results indicate that while few students expressed an interest in traditional agriculture occupations, over one-half identified areas of interest that are representative of a broadly defined agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources industry. These results have implications for not only local program design and recruitment, but curriculum innovations, as well.