Effectiveness of Agricultural Enrichment Programs Promoting Positive Youth Development and Enrollment in Agriculture-Related Majors

Student Classification

Ja’Quan Battle, 3rd-year, Agricultural Education Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education

Faculty Mentor

Ms. Kishaa James, Paula E. Faulkner, Ph.D., Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Department

Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Abstract

Enrichment programs are known for developing individuals in many areas. As a result of attending these programs, students learn new skills they can apply to real-life situations. In regard to agriculture and related fields, Enrichment programs can educate students about the benefits of agriculture such as addressing agriculture illiteracy. These programs are beneficial to address the negative perception many students, especially those who are underrepresented, have about agriculture such as being only cows, sows, and plows. Enrichment programs can change these negative perceptions by introducing students to agriculture and the different areas they can major in and seek careers. The purpose of the qualitative study was to assess the effectiveness of enrichment programs. The main objective was to assess students’ self-reported thoughts about attending the Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL). IFAL is a one-week program which occurred on campus in June 2022. Program activities included campus tours, and guest speakers on attending college and team building activities. Twenty-four participants, rising high school seniors who were recruited from throughout North Carolina high schools. Data collection was via observations and participant interviews. Participant demographics. Seventeen females, seven males; a majority (n=21) were African American, followed by two Latino Americans and one Native American. Most (n=17) self-reported as female. Our preliminary results demonstrated that participants’ attendance to enrichment programs is beneficial for promoting positive youth development. It can be concluded that universities and other agencies should continue offering enrichment programs especially to encourage more students’ enrollment in colleges for agriculture programs.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS