Students' perceptions of agriculture at an 1862 land-grant institution

Abstract

Faced with the challenge of supplying well-qualified graduates for the agriculture sector, agriculture educators must continue to identify barriers to recruiting talented and diverse students into colleges of agriculture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate students’ attitudes and perceptions regarding: 1) agriculture; 2) the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia (UGA); and 3) agriculture-related careers. In this pilot study, students were conveniently sampled based on their enrollment in CAES courses or participation in agriculture-related student organizations. The results of this study will provide insight into students’ attitudes and perceptions necessary to ensure appropriate and effective CAES recruitment and retention initiatives and to ultimately increase student enrollment in CAES.