THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE - CREATING LEADERS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Extension Education
Brad McGinley
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Sheridan
Abstract
\r\n Careers in agriculture today require individual responsibility as well as a range of decision making, financial management, and record keeping skills. In addition, the average age of the American Farmer continues to increase. In Fulton County, Arkansas, the proportion of farmers age 65 and older increased by 22 percent from 2002 to 2007. The future of the agriculture industry depends on educating America’s youth about agriculture, teaching them the necessary life skills and responsibility, and providing hands on “real-world” applications. The Fulton County All-Star Steer Program was developed to teach youth life skills and personal responsibility, and provide them with a positive hands-on experience in agriculture. Youth in this program are loaned a 500 pound steer and are paid on the gain of the animal. Participants are required to attend educational workshops on selection and feeding of beef cattle as well as showmanship and fitting for the show ring. They use the knowledge gained to select their own calf and to create their own feeding program to make smart feeding choices and reduce their cost of gain. Participant’s ability to “list my options before making a decision” and “think about what might happen because of my decision” increased 43 and 33 percent, respectively. Pre- and post-test scores used to evaluate the participants’ knowledge of beef cattle selection and feeding increased from, 45 percent before the program to 75 percent after the program. The future of agriculture looks bright. However, youth continue to need education about the importance of agriculture.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: B.M. McGinley
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McGinley, B. County Extension Agent - Agriculture, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 71957