Agricultural education
Agricultural education is the systematic and organized teaching, instruction and training (theoretical as well as hands-on, real-world fieldwork-based) available to students, farmers or individuals interested in the science, business and technology of agriculture (animal and plant production) as well as the management of land, environment and natural resources.
Students who pursue higher education in colleges and universities are provided with more in-depth and focused education so that they can develop expertise in specialized areas such as animal science (physiology, nutrition, reproduction and health aspects of domesticated animals such as dairy cattle, sheep, poultry, etc.
), genetics (animal and plant genetics and genomics and their application in breeding and biotechnology), international agriculture (global perspective on international agribusiness, global food systems, water and energy issues, cropping systems in different regions), Farm business management (budgeting, marketing, planning and other skills necessary to manage the financial and business aspects of agricultural operations), sustainable and organic agriculture.
In 19th century, agricultural education was formalized as an academic discipline through the Morrill Acts in the United States.
Over the years, it slowly subsumed a broad range of scientific subjects related to animals, plants and crops, soil, business, food, land, natural resources and environment.
In recent decades agricultural education has been adapted to address the issues of new technology, global perspectives and food security.
In the future, online learning, interdisciplinary research, community outreach and preparation for diverse career opportunities will also play a crucial role in addressing the evolving challenges of the agricultural sector.
Finally, No Child Left Behind (Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001) further raised standards for students in public schools and increased requirements of teachers in order to reach these standards, affecting agricultural education as part of the general curriculum of many schools.
Classroom instruction of an agricultural class teaches the students the basic concepts of the particular course through hands on learning and experience.
Students will be taught the information in the curriculum in order for them to understand and develop skills in the application and problem solving issues that would occur in an agricultural setting.
The student will choose a task from one of these topic areas and conduct a research experiment throughout the course of the agricultural class.
SAE programs give students the opportunity to take the information learned in the classroom setting and use it on an agricultural topic that interests them.
The agricultural teacher is the leader of that particular schools FFA chapter, and will guide students’ activities and programs held throughout the year.
These state schools receive federal aid under legislation that followed the Morrill Act of 1862, which granted public lands to support agricultural or mechanical education.
There, agricultural scientists work to develop better farming methods, solve the special problems of local farmers, and provide new technology.
This service distributes information gathered by the land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to farmers, families, and young people.
Agents and volunteers carry out extension programs through meetings, workshops, newsletters, radio, television, and visits.
[12] Members of 4-H carry out group and individual projects dealing with conservation, food and agriculture, health and safety, and other subjects.
Somewhat similarly, the FFA is a national organization that teaches students leadership skills and is designed to help members become more well rounded citizens in the agricultural field.
The FFA Mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
The history of agricultural education predates US activities and initially developed in Scottish, Italian and German colleges.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations works to train people throughout the world in modern farming methods.
[16] Each Campus has modern facilities on commercial sized farms and offers Year 10, 11 and 12 programs for male and female students.
The students study a range of School Curriculum and Standards Authority subjects leading to Secondary Graduation and the Western Australian Certificate of Education and also complete vocational qualifications from Industry Training Packages.
The major focus is on the study of agriculture but the program may also include horticulture, viticulture, equine, aquaculture, forestry, building construction, metals and engineering and automotive.
Each Campus offers some specialist programs that can lead to tertiary study and apprenticeships and careers in a range of agriculture related vocations.
Western Australian is in a precarious position and faces several challenges, fact that agriculture in Australia is affected by an ongoing shortage of labour and of skills.
